Regenerating The Wicker

Social enterprise ‘Creative Arts Development Space’ has made it their mission to provide affordable space in the city for Sheffield’s creative industries.

The four-storey Waverly House, in The Wicker, is the group’s latest acquisition and is currently undergoing a transformation - after previously housing light industry and legal premises - into a hub for social projects and start-ups.

Local studio provider and arts charity CADS reached a landmark in 2015, operating over 100 studios to rent-out to Sheffield’s creative entrepreneurs. Founder Steve Rimmer launched the enterprise in 2009, to remove barriers so that people could afford business space in the city, regardless of their social or economic circumstances. As a result, 80 per cent of CADS studios cost under £50 a week to rent.

CADS Business Manager Sam Parkin said: “After surpassing the 100-studio milestone last year, we’re hugely excited to be reviving Waverly House in such a historical and iconic part of Sheffield. With views out over the city centre, which is only 5 minutes away, four expansive floors and 150mb fibre-optic internet, Waverly House is perfectly positioned to become a hub of creative and social enterprise in The Wicker.”

Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Business, Skills & Development, Leigh Brammall, said; “Sheffield has a huge amount of creative talent and we are keen to support organisations like CADS to provide spaces for budding entrepreneurs and artists to develop these ideas and, hopefully, to contribute towards the vibrancy of the city and local economy in the future.”