Duo win race to turn historic Sheffield workshops into destination for independents

James O’Hara of Rockingham Group, which includes The Great Gatsby, Public bar and Picturehouse Social, and Tom Wolfenden, of Sheffield Technology Parks, aim to use their experience to create a hub for independent shops, businesses and events.

Leah’s Yard is a 19th Century former Little Mesters works on Cambridge Street and one of Sheffield’s most important heritage buildings.

Heart of the City is Sheffield Council’s £480m regeneration project. Bids to run Leah’s Yard opened last summer.

Once refurbished, it will have local traders on the ground floor selling goods including furniture, clothes, artisan foods and ales. The upper floors will accommodate small businesses. The venue will also host public events including ‘makers’ markets’ and themed evenings.

The winning bid was from Sheffield Science Park Company. Now the pair will pursue a longstanding ambition to combine their experience. Tom will focus on the business side and James on retail and leisure.

James said: “We want people to visit Leah’s Yard and have a memorable experience, in terms of the products you can view and buy and the atmosphere of the place and the people you interact with.

“First and foremost, it needs to be a place people want to gather in and wander through, regardless of whether you actually need to buy a specific item. Retail and city centres are evolving quickly. They are becoming more about this tangible shared experience, as well as supporting more independent and local businesses. Leah’s Yard will deliver both.”

Tom said: “Sheffield is home to so many extremely talented people who develop incredible products, but they rarely reside in the city centre.

“Our vision for Leah’s Yard is to bring all that together in one place and provide these businesses with a literal shop window and an affordable route into the city centre.

“We will create a genuine independent community here, and as part of the Leah’s Yard package, tenants will have access to business support and advice from our creative and experienced professional team as well.”

Structural and roof work on the Grade II* Listed building has been underway since September and will bring the derelict building back into a safe condition, with a view to opening the space in time for Christmas 2022.

Coun Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield Council, said: “Leah’s Yard has a great story within our city and it encapsulates the independent, hands-on identity that Sheffield is so well known for. The redevelopment will bring the building back to its former glory, offering bright new opportunities for our independent business community as it begins its recovery from the pandemic, as well as creating new reasons for people to visit the city centre and shop local.”

Andrew Davison, project director at Queensberry, added: “We are very excited to work with Tom and James over the next couple of years and seeing this truly iconic development opportunity come together.”

The news spells disappointment for a rival bid.

‘Leah’s Yard Social Enterprise’ had also lodged proposals to convert the disused 18th century building. It submitted a £350,000 bid to revamp Leah’s Yard.