PDA

View Full Version : Archived: Niche Nightclub, Sheffield.



fidget64
27-09-2010, 09:26 PM
Not my kind of thing normally but the Niche, love it or loathe it, has its’ place in the cultural history of Sheffield. Not a place I frequented as a customer, although I do have a cassette tape – Dj Paul Revere – I think. I did work there once as a cleaner and met the man who owned it and his brother, who was stabbed to death outside the club in1998.

Originally known as the Pretoria Works home of Edley Bros cutlers, the Niche opened in about 1992, in response to the burgeoning underground rave scene. After 3 years of battling with the police the niche began to comply with relevant legislation finally making the premises legal.
The Niche had a very chequered history, it’s soaring popularity was constantly undermined by problems relating to drugs and violence, the violence predominantly a result of dealers turf wars.
The Niches’ claim to fame is as the birth place of bassline, ‘a type of music related to UK garage that originated from speed garage, and shares characteristics with fellow subgenres dubstep and grime for their emphasis on bass. The style originated in Sheffield around 2002.’ So now you know!
The Niche was closed on November 27, 2005,following a police raid named "Operation Repatriation", where over 300 police officers raided the club, however no one was arrested. The police had expressed fears that the club attracted violence, gang culture and crime, mainly from outside of Sheffield.
The owner opened the premises up so that loyal clientele could take souvenirs, which might explain why there is not a lot left inside.

http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1756.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1709.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1700.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1697.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1644.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1661.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1694.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1684.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1690.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1678.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1667.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1663.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1660.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1657.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1655.jpg
http://i648.photobucket.com/albums/uu208/fidget64/niche/DSCF1674.jpg
Thanks for looking!:smile