The main storage location for the Sheffield University Performing Arts Society (SUPAS), Sheffield University Theatre Company (SUTCo) and Conservation Society is set to be demolished later this year. The Barber House Annexe, located near the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neurosciences (SITraN), is a key society storage space for student groups. The location is scheduled to be scrapped in November, though societies involved claim there has been minimal engagement with them from decision makers.
The Chair of SUTCo, Caitlin Wood, said: “The University of Sheffield is demolishing our only source of storage, Barber House, in November this year. At the moment, Barber House contains the entirety of our set, props, armoury and tech supplies…if we can find no alternative storage space, we will have to dispose of most, if not all, of our supplies.”
It was also made clear to Forge Press that there has been no direct communication to SUTCo from the university regarding this issue, with the group learning of the plans through communication with another society.
The Barber House Annexe is a multi-storey outbuilding located just off of Glossop Road which is used as a storage facility for several university societies, including SUTCo. The building stores hazardous and dangerous items, such as building supplies, paint and prop weaponry, which would be unsuitable for many other spaces. It is also nearby to the University of Sheffield Drama Studio, where societies often stage their productions, including SUPAS’ Made in Dagenham, which played at the end of April.
In a comment from the University, they said: “The Students’ Union manage all Student Society requirements, including storage, not the University. The Students’ Union are working with the societies currently using the Barber House Annexe to find the best place for alternative storage.”
They also revealed that: “We will have a project webpage regarding the new plans for the current Barber House Annexe site within the coming weeks.” However, during the investigation into this issue, Forge Press was asked on behalf of the University Estates Team, “which student societies currently use the annexe for storage?”
Societies fear that if the demolition goes ahead, those affected will either have to dispose of many of their items, or face relocation, with no clear idea as to where this may be. Former Chair of the Conservation Society Matt Soper, who’s society also has an area within the Barber House Annexe, said: “We have only heard about Barber House being demolished from SUPAS and as far as I know have had no contact from anyone at the SU”.
He explained that the area is crucial for “everything from wheelbarrows to first aid kits to posters and promotional materials (…) and it’s concerning that we may be about to lose this without any replacement made available”. The Conservation Society largely focuses on practical conservation work, saying: “losing our storage space would be an impediment to this.”
Members of some of the affected societies have suggested a possible relocation site in the disused Theatre Workshop, located in the same building as the Drama Studio, which has remained vacant since the closure of the Drama Department at the university. However, this has also been thrown into doubt following an incident on May 3rd, which saw three response units from the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue service called to the building following reports of smoke and a possible fire.
SUTCo have called for both current student and alumni support in lobbying the university for sufficient storage space, asking students to fill out the Performance Societies Survey. They have asked alumni to submit statements regarding how theatre at The University of Sheffield impacted their experiences at the university, especially if it had an impact on their career.
The affected societies are working with the representatives of the Students’ Union to resolve the situation, with Activities and Development Officer, Anna Campbell, claiming to be already engaging with both student groups and the university to find a solution.
Forge Press has contacted SUPAS for comment
