Sheffield’s O2 Academy set to reopen with permission given to new roof

nme.com:

BBC News reports, a planning request to replace the roof has now been granted.The document said the work would allow the building to “reopen swiftly and return a vital business back to Sheffield city centre”.

An exact reopening date has not yet been confirmed, however.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) had previously warned that RAAC – which was used extensively in the 1950s and ’60s – may “collapse with little or no notice”, due to its limited lifespan.Last Thursday (February 6), Sheffield City Council granted permission for the O2 Academy Sheffield’s roof deck to be replaced with a new flat roof.

The application had been submitted by Pegasus Planning Group on behalf of Pond Gate Estate two weeks prior.Academy Music Group, which operates the venue, has been contacted for details about the future of the establishment.Announcing the closure on September 28, 2023, a spokesperson wrote in a statement: “Further to recent guidance relating to RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) used in buildings, O2 Academy Sheffield will be temporarily closed as a precautionary measure while we carry out detailed surveys.”“We appreciate this will be very disappointing and we apologise to all those affected by this decision.

Our priority is to ensure the safety of all employees, performers and visitors.”It continued: “Anyone who has purchased tickets for events impacted by this temporary closure will be contacted directly with further information as we work with event promoters and ticket agents to rearrange dates.”The O2 Academy Sheffield occupies the old Roxy Nightclub building, and opened following a £3million refurbishment.