The venue comprises three areas: The Engine Shed, which is the main hall; The Platform, which is a smaller floor overlooking the main hall; and Towers, which is a sports bar serving food and drink split over two floors.

It was opened in September 2006 and takes its name from the locomotive shed that used to lie[3] in its current location, immediately adjacent to the Nottingham/Doncaster-Lincoln Line.The venue has a capacity of 1,500 in the main hall and approximately 800 in Towers.

The building is at the eastern end of the university campus, and is near the point where the River Witham joins Brayford Pool (Foss Dyke) from the south.

[7] It has hosted a number of high-profile rock bands including James, The Wombats, Stereophonics, Embrace, The Zutons, The Charlatans, Ocean Colour Scene, Editors, Beautiful South, LostAlone, Deftones, Shiny Toy Guns, Babyshambles, Feeder, The Cribs, Athlete, Kings of Leon, Dirty Pretty Things, Kasabian, The Hoosiers, Razorlight, Dizzee Rascal, Fratellis, Blossoms, The Damned and Marina And The Diamonds.

The venue has also played host to a number of top comedians, including Jason Manford, Russell Howard, Rhod Gilbert and Stewart Lee.