Finally, one of Sheffield's leading music venues has revealed its reopening plans, almost three years after closing due to safety concerns.
Extensive work has been ongoing at the O2 Academy Sheffield, and after a brief teaser yesterday, they've now announced that their return is imminent.
Today, the Academy Music Group has announced the venue will reopen for live music and amazing nightlife events early next year.
There's been substantial investment into remedial works since the venue was temporarily closed in September 2023, including the installation of a new roof, air-conditioning and extensive works to service areas in both the main room and O2 Academy2.
When the doors reopen, our ears will be blessed with a new L-Acoustics K3 loudspeaker system, one of the world's most recognisable sound systems.
The O2 Academy Sheffield has an incredible history since its launch as Top Rank Suite in 1968, that includes hosting iconic gigs from The Police, The Clash, Joy Division and David Bowie, before rebranding to dance institution the Roxy Disco, which dominated the club scene and became the region’s biggest nightspot in the eighties and nineties.
The venue was acquired by AMG and reopened in 2008 following an extensive refurbishment and an opening week that highlighted the great and the good of South Yorkshire.
Reverend & The Makers and The Human League were among the first acts to take to the stage, with other notable shows including Elbow, The Prodigy, Kasabian, Self Esteem, The Streets, Bring Me The Horizon, The Killers, Wolf Alice, Stormzy, Milburn and The Black Keys.
Liam Boylan, CEO, Academy Music Group, said: "AMG is the backbone of the UK touring circuit, and O2 Academy Sheffield is an important venue in the region and one that promoters and artists will have missed being able to include on their routing whilst it has been closed.
"Our venue estate has not been complete without this landmark building and it’s wonderful to be able to announce its return to the group."
John Hughes, Managing Director of Adlib, said: "We're delighted to be working with the AMG team on this landmark venue in Sheffield. Having welcomed legendary artists to the stage, it has a brilliant musical heritage that we’re helping to carry forward.
"By integrating new audio and lighting systems in collaboration with our partners L-Acoustics and DiGiCo, we're ensuring the venue is ready for the demands of today's productions, while giving artists, engineers and audiences a great experience."
Justin Smith, Divisional Manager, Academy Music Group, said: “Having worked at the venue since opening night almost two decades ago, the wider team and I can’t wait to get artists back on our stage and welcome loyal customers through the doors again.
“We have invested in some fantastic improvements including updating the audio capabilities at the venue. We want artists who return to play here to have access to the best technical equipment and ensure our audience is given the very best live experience. Our programme, as ever, is varied and the new L-Acoustics system really delivers across different genres and event types”.
O2 Academy Sheffield will reopen in February 2027.
If you’re looking for something a little more wholesome for your next day out, there’s a ceramics studio in Sharrow Vale that needs to be on your radar.
Tucked away in Cowlishaw Works, Bare Ceramics Studio is run by the wonderful Abi and is basically your excuse to get stuck into some clay and pretend you’ve suddenly become very artistic.
You might already recognise Abi’s work from her iconic boobies mugs and vases, which have become something of a Sheffield favourite. But this isn’t just a place to admire the boobies; you can actually have a go at making your own ceramics too.
Fancy painting a mug? Go for it. Want to make a wonky little bowl that your mum will politely pretend is lovely? Absolutely. Never touched clay in your life? Even better.
And if you’re firmly in your relaxed, calming era, this one is for you.
There’s something very satisfying about switching your phone off, getting your hands covered in clay and spending a couple of hours making something completely your own.
Some of the things you could paint at Bare Ceramics Studio in Sheffield. Credit: The Sheff
You can try your hand at hand-building and different pottery techniques before your masterpiece is glazed and fired, ready for you to pick up later. And who knows, you might love it so much that your kitchen suddenly becomes a full-blown handmade crockery showroom.
It’s also a pretty good shout for dates, mate dates, birthdays and hen dos, with private sessions available if you fancy getting the gang involved.
So, if you’re bored of doing the same old thing every weekend, ditch the pub, get stuck into some clay and enter your pottery era.
Incredible new images show plans for Sheffield Ski Village transformation
Daisy Jackson
Incredible new images and more plans for the former Sheffield Ski Village have been revealed.
The vision is to turn the derelict tourist attraction into a major new leisure and outdoor adventure destination, including a downhill karting experience, a scenic chairlift, an indoor educational attraction, a cafe and terrace with views across Sheffield - and that's just phase one.
After that, there are dreams of building a zipline attraction, and a surf wave experience, plus a long-term ambition to bring back dry ski slops at Parkwood Springs.
Sheffield Ski Village closed for good in 2012 after a major fire destroyed the complex, and the land has been unused ever since.
But now Skyline Enterprises, a New Zealand-based adventure tourism business, is hoping to bring the area back to life.
A three-week public consultation is now underway, with a planning application expected later this year.
As part of the masterplan, existing walking and mountain bike trails would be retained or carefully relocated where necessary.
Incredible new images show plans for Sheffield Ski Village transformation. Credit: Skyline Enterprises
A public consultation on the proposals runs until Sunday 20 September and provides an opportunity for residents, businesses and local stakeholders to review the proposals and share feedback.
Members of the public can also attend two drop-in events where they can meet members of the Skyline project team and discuss the proposals. The events will take place on:
Wednesday 9 September (4-7pm): Heist Brew Co. in Neepsend
Thursday 10 September (3-7pm): Shirecliffe Community Centre
Geoff McDonald, Chief Executive Officer of Skyline Enterprises, said: "Today is about starting a conversation. We’re excited to share our latest proposals with the city and want to hear from local people, businesses and community groups about our plans and understand what matters most to them.
"We see Sheffield as a perfect partner and believe the Parkwood Springs project has the potential to become one of the UK’s most distinctive outdoor leisure destinations, helping to further enhance Sheffield’s visitor offer, support the local economy and create new jobs."
Daisy Jackson -
8th September 2026 
