As the CADS team ramp up their efforts to ensure the future of Abbeydale Picture House and secure it as an asset of community value, they have announced an agreement is in place for the purchase of the building.
2022 has been a dramatic year for the Abbeydale Picture House. Local charity CADS (Creative Arts Development Space) are nearly six years into a 25-year lease of the building. A dispute with the landlord earlier this year over roof repairs for the main auditorium roof led to an unexpected eviction.
The CADS team were able to reach a temporary agreement with the landlord to regain entry to the building and have now decided the best route forward is to take the significant step of making an offer to purchase it. A price has been agreed and while fine details are still under negotiation the CADS team, with the help of the local community and civic organisations, are determined to acquire the building. Public support for this purchase will be vital - possibilities being explored including some form of community investment.
Last week, CADS opened several new areas of the building to help bring vital funds in. This included a beautiful new bar to the side of the auditorium, a total renovation of the entrance foyer allowing it to be used for markets and craft fairs, and expanded use of the breath-taking Fly Tower. This area behind the main screen originally contained the theatre stage and various mechanisms for lowering and raising screens and stage curtains, and an incredible historic fire curtain which is still in place, complete with 1950s hand-drawn adverts for local businesses.
The Picture House Social bar which is located underneath the main theatre remains untouched and in business. The bar’s owners have also signed a long-term lease and will remain open and operational regardless of any change in ownership of the building.
Steve Rimmer from CADS said: "Following a turbulent year at the Abbeydale Picture House, we were faced with a decision on how to proceed with our long-term goal of ensuring the building remains open for the community. Exactly one year ago we discovered the roof was in a dangerous state. This led to the immediate halt of all events in the main auditorium as we awaited urgent repairs to the roof exterior so the listed ‘barrel vaulted’ ceiling could be repaired.
"The impact of this was huge, we simply couldn’t use enough of the building to meet ongoing maintenance and running costs, never mind paying for the restoration. It’s poignant and heartening that exactly one year later we have a purchase price agreed with the landlord. This is a vital step in our long-term mission.
"We have funding agreed for a commercial mortgage and deposit and are awaiting a final decision from the UK Government on our Community Ownership Fund (COF) application. If this is not successful, we will look to the many fans and supporters of the building to create a Community Share issue. There is at least £250k needed to fix the roof and repair the ceiling, and millions more required for the full restoration of this beloved building that means so much to so many people. Ownership of the building will ensure we can access the levels of funding needed for this project.
"We are calling on the people of Sheffield to get involved in any way they can. We need supporters to make this happen, we need people with events to host them here in the short term and we need anyone with bright ideas on how to use this space. We are open to all suggestions. Please come and pay us a visit, events are happening, the bar is open on weekends and daytime visits can always be arranged."
Find out more at www.abbeydalepicturehouse.com or www.cads-online.co.uk
