A host of offerings can be found down Sheffield's unassuming Chapel Walk, including bookshop Juno Books and DIY music venue Gut Level. Latest to join them is the cultural archive of Memory Dance, opened in June 2026.
Housed in a former retail unit, Memory Dance encapsulates much of what makes up Sheffield's distinctive cultural landscape. The physical space builds on a project formed by archivist Alex Wilson in 2009, engaging with screen heritage in creative ways – from broadcasts on Sheffield Live! to events at the likes of No Bounds festival mixing rare local video tape and cassette collections.
Memory Dance founder and archivist Alex says: "This place is three things in one, under one tiny roof:
A gallery and exhibition space – which will evolve over time – presenting social and local cultural history, through exhibits that change every few weeks.
The second is a record shop, stocking various genres and ephemera. A little nod to Sheffield's Rare & Racy – some of that spirit, with vinyl and tapes.
And then in the basement, there's the microcinema. A 15 to 20 capacity space, which will show films on a loop that relate to an exhibition, and also host one-off screenings. It's the smallest cinema in Sheffield."
What can you expect from a visit?
"It's like an intergenerational space, sharing memories. Where young people might buy older music, made in Sheffield or from wherever, and that might turn them onto a piece of history that they didn't know about. It's telling the history of this place as a city."
Look out for exhibitions and events around photography, design, music, local history and folklore, through an entirely unique programme. The venue is also available for hire.
Follow Memory Dance on Instagram to keep up-to-date on their happenings.
