Iconic nightclub named one of the best in the world to close for good this weekend
AN ICONIC nightclub, named one of the best in the world, is set to close for good this weekend.
A hotspot for electro-loving ravers, the venue was previously hailed by music buffs as being at the "forefront of the [nightlife] scene".
But Hope Works in Sheffield has now confirmed it will be throwing its two last-ever parties tonight and tomorrow night.
The decision comes as founder Liam O'Shea, who launched the club back in 2012, seeks a quieter life, according to an initial statement back in December.
Taking to Instagram, a spokesperson said Liam had "come to this very difficult decision in order to achieve a greater sense of balance in his life."
In the same statement, Liam gushed about his beloved club, which is based in an old gun barrel factory and has hosted the likes of Bicep, Helena Hauff and Ben Sims.
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He said: "I have devoted 12 years to Hope Works. It has been my passion, an act of determined resilience to create something in Sheffield like no other.
"A uniquely programmed beacon of hope and restless freedom in the Steel City.
"Hope Works stands for something, it has elevated Sheffield’s standing on the global electronic music stage to new generations. It has also been recognised & respected internationally by artists around the globe.
"As well as being championed for its unique, friendly atmosphere, programming style and joyously irreverent expression of the spirit of Rave, I’ve been told by so many people how Hope Works was the soundtrack to their university years or it introduced them to REAL rave culture."
The long-serving owner also admitted that financial pressures had contributed to the decision to close.
He said: "It has to be said that running an underground music venue in today’s ever-shifting and volatile nightlife landscape has been challenging.
"We haven’t been immune to the difficulties facing so many grassroots music venues.
"We survived Covid and have delivered hundreds of parties since 2012.
"However, for me to continue to expand my work into new areas and have time for my family, which is so important to me, something needed to change.
"That change was sadly to let Hope Works as a venue on Sussex Road, Sheffield, be put to rest."
In a further statement posted yesterday, Liam described the venture as the "greatest privilege of [his] life", adding: "It's always been about the people and the art, together as one."
And, he reassured fans with news of a brand-new venture - the Bounds Festival.
He said: "We continue the evolution of the dream through No Bounds Festival (coming soon).
"The Hope Works energy finds new life under this banner."
It comes after another huge nightclub, Tiger Tiger in London, spontaneously shut down last year.
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Fans were left gobsmacked after bosses posted a minimal statement on the matter, saying: "Tiger Tiger London is now closed.
"Thank you to all patrons, promoters, DJs, staff members and partners for years of incredible memories."
A sudden decline in night-time venues over the last two years has been attributed to a combination of the lockdowns during the Covid pandemic and the soaring cost of living.
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