The NCPM has now been taken over by Sheffield Hallam University which has relocated their Students Union to the building. It was rumoured some years ago that Sheffield Hallam had allegedly done a 'land swap' deal with the Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, and with Sheffield City Council in order to gain control of this public building for less than one tenth of its original cost to the National Lottery Good Causes fund.

The redevelopment of the NCPM as a students union is seen as a severe threat to the redevelopment of the CIQ area and Sheffield City Centre as a whole. This move shows a very poor understanding of Sheffield's indigenous cultural heritage and economy, a lack of recognition for the fundamental role of creative individuals in that cultural economy, and the bankruptcy of the policies imposed in a 'top down' manner by these so-called regeneration agencies.

Sheffield's cultural ecology has been built upon an understanding that creating genuine opportunities for the community to access facilities for cultural production, distribution and consumption will lever the social, economic, cultural and environmental regeneration of the entire city - not just for a small minority sector. This understanding has encouraged a grassroots campaign which started more than two years ago to realise the NCPM as a public centre for cultural and creative activities.

The National Centre for Popular Music is an iconic building strategically located at a major gateway to the City Centre from the train station - it is Sheffield's first impression to many visitors to the City. Our National Centre symbolised Sheffield's rebirth and we have a duty as concerned residents of our city to reclaim our future, Sheffield's future.