Bar planned for old Co-operative Bank building in Sheffield city centre

The former Co-operative Bank on West Street would become the latest venue by the people behind FirePit Rocks, a sports bar on the same street which recently celebrated its first anniversary, under plans being drawn up.

The building’s owner, Sean Fogg, of West Street Leisure, which transformed the Grade II*-listed Carbrook Hall in Attercliffe into a drive-thru Starbucks, said he was in talks with FirePit’s owner Rick Bailey about taking on the premises.

Planning permission had been granted in 2015 to demolish the existing two-storey building and replace it with an eight-storey tower containing 32 apartments and offices on the ground floor.

But Mr Fogg claims the premises are better suited to becoming a bar.

“There’s been a lot of interest in the building, which is an empty shell at the moment, and if it’s refitted right could be spectacular,” he said.

“It’s one of the last bits of real estate on West Street, in an area where you’ve recently had the Slug & Lettuce and Pitcher & Piano opening.”

Mr Fogg added that the plan, which is in its early stages, was to have a bar on the ground floor serving food, with an area for private hire and possibly work space upstairs.

Planning permission would be needed to change the use of the building to a bar, and an application has yet to be submitted.

In the short-term, it is understood, the premises could reopen as a pop-up vintage clothing emporium.