Sheffield Library Theatre to remain open “for now” but future uncertain
If redevelopment plans go ahead, the Library Theatre would have to be removed to create an accessible main entrance
A theatre in Sheffield city centre will remain open "for now" as Sheffield Council begins ambitious plans to redesign the historic building which houses it.
Sheffield City Council has confirmed the Library Theatre will remain open and available for hire and all existing bookings are being honoured, as long as the temporary heating provision in the building which houses it continues to work.
Major plans to expand Graves Gallery and move the Central Library and City Archive to the neighbouring Millennium Gallery building were presented to a strategy and resources policy committee meeting on November 11.
The Library Theatre, a 260 seat performance venue, is based in the same building on Surrey Street.
Councillors were told that the plans had been in the works for a while, but are particularly relevant after a leak, described by council officers as an "extreme event", led to heating system failures in the Central Library building.
The heating issues caused Graves Gallery on the top floor of the library to close in spring this year.
Francesca Frascina, programme lead for Central Library and Graves Gallery said the Library Theatre will "continue to operate in the short to medium term" using "secondary heating" in the building, while proposals are further developed.
History and issues with the venue
The Library Theatre has hosted amateur theatre from community and grassroots groups, as well as dance, music, circus, magic shows, literature events, stand-up comedy, pantomime, lectures, demonstrations and meetings, since its first ever performance in 1934.
However, according to a council report, the theatre is currently the least accessible area of the whole Central Library building.
It has no step free access for customers or performers, or safe evacuation routes for individuals who cannot use the stairs.
A report to the committee said: "Some organisations and major events, including the council itself, already choose not to book the space because of its accessibility limitations."
Where is the Library Theatre going in the long term?
If the redevelopment goes ahead, the Library Theatre would have to be removed to allow the floor to be lowered to create an accessible main entrance.
The strategy and resources committee was told that early on in the project that architects had discovered the only viable accessible entrance was from Tudor Square.
Francesca Frascina, programme lead for Central Library and Graves Gallery said: “This would mean lowering the floor level of the current ground floor reading room, that reduces the height of the space below which currently operates as the Library Theatre meaning it couldn't function as a Library Theatre anymore."
Floor plans show a number of event rooms and spaces are planned across the two sites, but at this stage none are specifically earmarked to be a theatre.