Sheffield music college seeks to expand with new recording studio plan

WaterBear – The College of Music is seeking permission to convert a gym on Eyre Lane in the city centre

The WaterBear Music College is seeking to expand its campus in Sheffield city centre.
Author: Julia Armstrong, Local Democracy Reporting ServicePublished 6 hours ago

A Sheffield music college is seeking to extend its city operations for the second time in three years.

WaterBear – The College of Music is seeking permission to convert a gym on Eyre Lane in the city centre into a recording studio with teaching space. Sheffield City Council is considering the application.

The campus is based in the Gatecrasher building, on the site of the iconic late 1990s/early 2000s nightclub that was destroyed by a fire in 2007.

The college, which has its main campus in Brighton, offers BA and MA degrees in music performance, production and the music industry.

Chief marketing officer Eve Massaad said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of Sheffield and its brilliant music community.

“We know just how much creative talent exists across the city and we’re committed to creating more opportunities and spaces where it can develop and thrive.

“In addition to opening our music college in Sheffield, we’ve also refurbished the WaterBear Green Room and were delighted to welcome people through its doors for a successful programme of pilot events during this year’s Fringe at Tramlines.

“That was an exciting glimpse of what’s to come, and we can’t wait to reveal our plans for a new recording facility as the project takes shape.”

The Green Room on Devonshire Green, well known as one of Sheffield’s most long-standing bars and venues, is used by the college students as a performance space during the day and is open as a live public music venue in the evenings.

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