Plans to transform a Grade II* listed building in Sheffield city centre into a new music hub for the region has been boosted by £3.5m of funding from Arts Council England.

The grant has been awarded to music education charity Harmony Works, and follows an award of £4.5m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Emily Pieters, project director at Harmony Works, described the funding as “completely game changing” for the plans to open the centre in autumn 2027.

When completed, the building will become home to a range of music organisations, including the Sheffield Music Academy, Sheffield Music Hub, Brass Bands England, Music in the Round, Choir with No Name and Orchestras for All.

The Harmony Works Trust purchased Canada House last year for £1.6m. Originally built in 1875 as offices for the Sheffield United Gas Light Company, the building has more recently been used as a nightclub, a pub and an oriental buffet restaurant.

Find out more about this project at the Harmony Work website

Photo credit: Mick Knapton