Sheffield Hallam Students’ Union to leave city centre HUBS building after 22 years

Sheffield Hallam’s Students’ Union is set to relocate from its city centre HUBS building after more than 22 years.

On Wednesday, the SU announced it would move into the university’s former Careers Connect space next to the Owen Building later this semester. No exact opening date has been announced so far.

It will be the first phase of a relocation to several spaces around the campus.

The new two-storey venue will contain a social seating area, kitchenette, a merchandise store, and house the SU’s support teams.

Hallam SU said in an announcement on their website: “Throughout our 22 years at the HUBS, the way Hallam students learn, socialise, and connect has totally changed.

“The HUBS simply doesn’t provide the flexibility to support the diverse range of activities and services our modern, dynamic community needs. That’s why we’re creating new spaces that are as flexible and dynamic as you are.”

Spaces will be bookable online and there are also plans for pop-up markets, fairs, and sales, as well as utilising a new large TV screen for film nights and gaming.

The HUBS were purchased by Sheffield Hallam University in 2003 for £1.85m. It had initially been built in 1999 as the National Centre for Popular Music.

The future of the HUBS is currently undecided, but the university says there are cuurently no plans to demolish it.

After the SU announced plans to vacate the building last year, the Twentieth Century Society (C20) – a charity campaigning to preserve 20th century architecture – placed it on its annual list of at-risk buildings.

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It said: “A successful example of adaptive reuse for more than 20 years, it’s often been quipped that more moments of genuine ‘popular culture’ took place in the student union than ever did in its original guise as an institutional pop-museum. Surely, it’s time for a third act?”

The stainless steel structure won a Royal Institute of British Architects design award in 1996.

However, it was cited by readers of The Tab in a national 2024 poll which named Sheffield Hallam University’s buildings the ugliest in the UK.

Featured image via Google Maps