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Music venues at risk despite lockdown easing

Nightclubs and music venues remain shut with many at risk of permanent closure as pubs, bars and barber shops re-open under government guidelines for hospitality venues. Iconic Sheffield venues The Leadmill and Corporation are among venues at risk according to the Music Venue Trust. Meanwhile Sheffield Council has apologised for a swiftly withdrawn tweet which surprised pub landlords by warning coronavirus “will already be there waiting for you”. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Mark Hobson, managing director of Corporation and Trafalgar Warehouse.

NHS anniversary to be marked by clap for carers

Trades unionists and campaigners held a rally outside Royal Hallamshire Hospital in support of the NHS ahead of a nationwide ‘clap for carers’ planned for Sunday at 5pm as the NHS celebrates its 72nd birthday. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Ruth Milsom of Sheffield Save Our NHS and Martin Mayer, secretary of Sheffield Trades Union Council.

Pubs and venues prepare for lockdown easing

Pubs and other hospitality venues are set to reopen from this weekend but with distancing and other measures in place bars to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission. Maurice Champeau, manager of Crookes Social Club has welcomed the news but told Sheffield Live! the venue will have to drop its indoor capacity by 40 per cent and has converted the outdoor bowling green for customer use. Azz Mohammed reports.

Gunshots reported again in Arbourthorne

Police have responded with an increased presence in Arbourthorne after residents reported two incidents of gunshots being fired on Tuesday night. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Ben Miskill, Councillor for Park & Arbourthourne.

Funding approved for Hillsborough Park Coach House cafe

Age UK Sheffield has been awarded £581,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to convert the listed old Coach House building in Hillsborough Park into a dementia friendly cafe. The project, with a total cost of around £1 million is intended to support vulnerable people and those who suffer from dementia to meet in a safe and friendly environment. A conservatory and toilets are to be added for access from the park and the cafe with the project projected to create 12-15 permanent jobs in addition to the work in the construction phase. Work is planned to commence in October and to be completed by summer 2021. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Steve Chu, chief executive for Age UK Sheffield.

Cancer charity seeks donations as shops reopen

Cancer Research UK is reopening its charity shops and asking the public to donate unwanted items having been forced to close during the coronavirus lockdown. The charity shops provide a major source of income to the charity whose research labs and clinical trials were also put on hold. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Nicky Embleton, regional relations officer for Cancer Research UK.

Disability campaigners seek extension to Covid-19 welfare measures

Disability campaigners have called on the government to extend beyond the end of June the suspension of benefit sanctions and other financial measures to assist the most disadvantaged. As the coronavirus pandemic took hold the government introduced temporary measures to assist people on Universal Credit and other benefits including a deferred timetable for repayment of overpaid benefits and suspension of the sanctions regime for those on Job Seekers Allowance. These arrangements are due to expire at the end of June but campaigners argue they should be maintained for the time being to help those in financial difficulty. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jennifer Jones of Disabled People Against Cuts – Sheffield.

Community-led support vital for track and trace, say local charities

Charities and community hubs in Sheffield have written to the government calling for more support for community-led responses to Covid-19 including in the track and trace strategy and follow-up support. Voluntary Action Sheffield and 25 other charities and community organisations have written to health secretary Matt Hancock highlighting the community-based track, trace and isolate scheme piloted in Heeley. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to retired GP Dr Jack Czauderna.

Lifestyle changes could aid a green recovery

Lifestyle and behaviour changes during lockdown including reduced travel and lower consumption could, if sustained, aid a green recovery, according to environmental experts. Anna Hawkins, lecturer in environmental social science at Sheffield Hallam University, told Sheffield Live! that individual changes such as eating less meat and travelling less can benefit the environment but structural changes are also needed by large organisations. Beth Gavaghan reports.

Orchard Square mural open to public

Sheffield University graduate and illustrator Will Rea has unveiled the results of his commission to transform Sheffield’s Orchard Square with a major public artwork. Rea and his team have created a 50 metre long mural on a three storey building. Rea’s friend and filmmaker Andrew Bainbridge captured the work in process. Sheffield Live ! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Will Rea and Andrew Bainbridge about the project.