Bid to extend hours at Picture House

LEISURE: The owners of a much-loved historic cinema turned-entertainment venue have asked Sheffield Council to extend its opening hours to help it cope with a loss of business during lockdown.

Abbeydale Picture House, on Abbeydale Road, Nether Edge, is a 100-year-old, Grade II-listed building.

THE OWNERS of a much-loved historic cinema turned-entertainment venue have asked Sheffield Council to extend its opening hours to early in the morning to help it cope with a loss of business during lockdown.

Abbeydale Picture House, on Abbeydale Road, Nether Edge, is a 100-year-old, Grade II-listed building that was once the largest and most luxurious cinema in the city and is now the only one from its era left in Sheffield. Since it fell out of use, it has been restored and used for various purposes.

Its basement operates as a bar known as Picture House Social which offers live music, cocktails, craft beer, Italian-inspired street food, a games room and a terrace.

Currently, its opening hours are 9am until midnight from Sundays to Thursdays and 9am until 1am Fridays to Saturdays but it now wants to extend these to stay open until 3am every day of the week.

In its application to the council, James Roberts, of JR Planning, on behalf of the owners, said: “The current drinking establishment has operated successfully at the site for a number of years and is a well regarded part of the local community.

“The proposed extension to opening hours would enable the venue to meet customer demand without having any adverse impact on the local area. Since the business started operating at the site there have been no noise complaints.

“The existing drinking establishment makes a positive contribution to economic growth and the proposed extension will help the venue compete with similar venues within Sheffield. This is particularly crucial in light of the significant impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the hospitality sector.

“It is anticipated that the local

James Roberts, of JR Planning, acting on behalf of the owners

planning authority will adopt a progressive approach to this sustainable scheme.”

He added that because the bar is underground, there is “very little” noise pollution and went on to say: “The owners of the bar have identified a demand for a local venue with later opening hours having seen the success that later hours can have at venues such as at Hagglers Corner in similar areas.

“The applicant has suffered as a result of the covid-19 pandemic and there is a need to increase revenues once the lockdown restrictions are eased. This is crucial for the long-term health of their business.

“The proposed increase in hours will allow for increased investment in the business and allow for job creation and retention. As such, it is considered that the proposal would make a positive contribution to economic growth and this matter should be afforded significant planning weight.”

So far, no members of the public have commented on the proposals and there has not been significant local objection.

The applicant has suffered as a result of the covid-19 pandemic