House of CADS? Charity picked to run Event Central closes existing venue due to unpaid debts

Late last week, a worrying rumour began circulating in the city’s DIY music scene. CADS, a local charity founded in 2009 to turn vacant buildings into affordable studio and venue space, was seemingly on the brink of ruin. When I reached out to one of the volunteers behind beloved venue Delicious Clam — CADS’ tenant for the last eight years — he confirmed he’d just received a flurry of messages on this exact topic, although he was not in the right headspace to parse the possible implications just then. This was due to the substantial dose of magic mushrooms he’d just consumed at a festival, he explained, before adding: “Stick that in yer article!”

If CADS did crash and burn, the ripples would be felt across Sheffield’s creative hubs. On Exchange Street alone, they are the landlord for Delicious Clam, Plot 22 and Panke Social. The charity also runs Eagle Works in Little Kelham and a large building on Arley Street near London Road, where they rent studio space to more than 40 local creatives. But by far the biggest shockwave would hit the ongoing regeneration of Fargate. A council spokesperson confirmed CADS is still the preferred operator for Event Central, the £14.4 million live music venue allegedly due to open its doors soon.

In a seven-page statement, CADS insisted that the charity has everything under control, despite the signs of trouble. This includes CADS abruptly closing its venue in the Arley Street building last week, also removing valuables like its sound equipment from the premises. Those familiar with the building tell me bailiffs came knocking in January this year and last month, looking to collect on a significant outstanding debt. While the charity has yet to publish its annual accounts for last year — almost two months after the deadline to do so — its accounts for 2024 show it was in more than £16,000 of debt that July, with further debts of almost £42,000 due within a year. Back then, the charity had four employees, which has since reduced to two, one of whom was informed last week that their job was at risk of redundancy due to the loss of income from the Arley Street venue. 

Is a charity in this state likely to be able to make Event Central a success? When I approached the council, I was initially told they would not be commenting, with the spokesperson suggesting I ask CADS itself what is going on. After pushing for a response from the council, I received three bullet points in return, one of which tersely stated that “work on Event Central continues to progress” — something that has now been the case for quite some time. The national government first awarded funding for the new venue in 2020, at which time the deadline to complete construction was March 2024. While a council press release last year stated doors would open late this year, a source familiar with the project claims the earliest expected launch date is now next spring.

After I reached out to CADS, the charity admitted that it was in the middle of a dispute that has “put pressure” on their operation, adding: “Our focus is on protecting the artists, independent venues and small businesses who depend on [our] spaces, while working with our partners to resolve the outstanding issues.” Their decision to close the Arley Street venue meant enforcement action is on hold, “so there is no immediate threat to the building,” and they hope to work with the council to find a “sustainable route to reopening”.

The crucial detail that makes this fraught situation even more confusing, however, is the fact that the organisation which instructed those bailiffs to go knocking on CADS’ door is none other than the council itself. “They’re in a bit of a Catch 22,” alleges a source familiar with the situation: one council department is seemingly willing to risk sinking the charity, despite the obvious spanner this would throw in the works of a hugely important council project. “They can’t close down their only possible option to run this brand new venue, which they’ve already caught a lot of flak for spending lots of money on, or they’ll look pretty stupid.”

So how did CADS get into this mess? And, more importantly, how will they get out of it?