NDML meets Directors Mark Hobson and David Savereux at Corporation in Sheffield
Corporation in Sheffield is one of the best live band and alternative music nightclubs in the UK. We sat down with Managing Director, Mark Hobson to discuss Corporation’s origin and past successes, including hosting bands such as Bring Me To The Horizon and Lamb of God. He introduced us to newly-appointed Director, David Savereux who talked us through drinks pricing, ticket pricing and the importance of inclusivity and finance sustainability.
#WeAreNightlife is a NDML’s award-winning campaign which celebrates nightclubs, as well as the night-time leisure and hospitality industry. See more from #WeAreNightlife and listen to the words of our clients and sector leaders here.
The Nightlife Revolution also assisted in the publishing and scripting of this video. The Nightlife Revolution focusses on the deprivation of the sector, looking at how nightlife business can come together to call for change and support.
What is the notable history and success of Corporation in Sheffield?
Mark Hobson discusses the origin of Corporation, situated in their first venue until just after the Millenium, which include a skate ramp in their first venue! Then they moved to Milton Street, where they are now, slowly buying more space over the years, becoming a muti-faceted venue.
Over the years, Corporation has hosted famous bands many of whom were in their infancy. Lamb of God, Chase and Stratus, Bring Me To The Horizon, Skid Row, Dizzy Rascal – as well as many more Sheffiled artists.
How is Corporation fairing today?
David Savereux discusses the strong growth of the venue. The business is moving more into day-time events, inline with consumer behaviour which seems to start partying earlier. Corporation hosts 4 to 5 bands a week, most grassroots.
How important is it to support grassroots bands?
“It would be like a surgeon performing an operating without having practiced on anything.” says Mark Hobson. David says it’s crucial to work with local promoters as well as national promoters.
How have you diversified the business?
Mark has diversified over the years. They have a function space for weddings, corporate events and festivals. David says it’s important to work externally, using production hire, key events in other venues. Video walls and speaker hire improve revenue. Mark says being your own landlord is essential.
How cheap are the drinks at Corporation?
In Sheffield, a triple is £3.50. Corporation do 80p drinks on a Monday. 3 drinks on a weekend is £4-£5. Corporation has always had cheap drinks, ever since 1997, and they adopt a cheap and affordable ticket pricing mentality. But with costs going up, David says either the drinks or door price will have to rise. Their competitor, free entry late night bars, are putting pressure on nightclubs – so they need to provide the right value and ensure a fair deal.
How difficult is profitability for Corporation and nightclubs?
David describes the difficulty of cost increases, including business rates, staff costs, employer national insurance, and VAT. Equipment isn’t cheap, so to reinvest and make money is tough.
Mark wants more assistance from the Government. There are simple changes which would be easy to implement such a business rates reduction.
Electricity costs is the biggest challenge faced by Corporation. The jump in utility costs is too much, and there are no viable alternative options out there available.
Is it time for a Nightlife Revolution?
Mark: “There is a revolution happening, is it the right revolution? We need assistance going forwards and that’s where the revolution needs to be.”
David: “Nightlife is going to have a revolution whether we want it to or not. Changing with the times, making sure you’re not stuck. Consumer habits are completely different to two or three years ago.”
To learn more about the Nightlife Revolution, see here.
What changes are needed to help the industry?
Mark wants business rates relief. David wants a VAT tax reduction. They are doubtful it will happen.
What are the adaptations you’ve made to the venue to be more risk averse?
David discusses fire doors and increased reviews. Corporation do quarterly risk reviews with their team.
What’s coming up for Corporation?
2026 is 25 years at Milton Street. And 2027 is 30 years as a brand. Corporation have Music Venue Trust on board, and their ticket levy will go into a trust to help grassroots music. They expect to get big bands in next year. David discusses why customers should come to Corporation: “A cheap, affordable place that anybody can come to, no matter who you are.”
NDML would like to thank Mark and David for their time. It was an absolute pleasure, and we hope to organise more content with Corporation very soon.
Watch more videos from #WeAreNightlife
What is WeAreNightlife?
NDML has made it their mission to protect, safeguard and provide guidance to businesses in the hospitality and leisure sector. With inside information, case studies and up-to-date information on policy changes, NDML is a broker who cares about a business’s welfare and will celebrate their growth.
Our #WeAreNightlife campaign aims to provide a sound board for industry leaders to share their own unique experiences of British nightlife. NDML’s goal, alongside the NTIA, is to nit the UK nightlife scene back together after the turbulent COVID years and deliver steps to get the industry back up to full throttle.
NDML is the UK’s number one broker in the nightlife sector. We offer exclusive tailor-made policies and have decades of expertise. Our award-winning service is built upon genuine relationships, and that’s why projects, such as #WeAreNightlife, are so important to us.
What is The Nightlife Revolution?
The Nightlife Revolution is a project which aims to bring together venue owners and hospitality staff. The project is ran by members of NDML and will give a platform for industry leaders to shed light on the challenges affecting businesses, and the key statistics that need to be known.
We wish to build a wall of supporters and a collective forum to say “Enough is Enough – Nightlife is done with being Forgotten.” Corporation have joined the Nightlife Revolution, sign up and make sure your business joins the revolution.