Plan to revamp historic Little Mester's workshop in Sheffield revealed as bidding closes

‘Leah’s Yard Social Enterprise’ has lodged proposals to convert the disused 18th century Leah’s Yard building on Cambridge Street.

It is one of several bids believed to have been submitted to Sheffield City Council ahead of the deadline on September 11.

Leah’s Yard is seen as key to the £480m Heart of the City II scheme due to its history. It once housed eighteen ‘Little Mesters’ industrial workshops and has Grade II* listed status.

The authority says it wants to maintain the site’s ‘unique Sheffield character’ and provide a new ‘maker’ space.

The LYSE proposal includes a shop for local makers, artists’ studios, a café-bar and home for pop-up street food traders, an event and conference venue, co-working space and a new public square. Images show a new extension housing a multi-use venue.

It says it would create more than 2,500 jobs over 25 years, attract 221,000 visitors to the Heart of the City II annually and pump more than £15m into Sheffield’s economy every year.

The three partners are Union St, DINA – Sheffield Arts Centre and Opus Independents.

Union Street is a city centre cafe and co-working space which is home to 100 lone workers and companies and is full. It would relocate into Leah’s Yard, giving it room to expand.

Co-founder Matt Hill said: “This is a real opportunity to demonstrate an alternative vision for the city centre.

“Union St operates in a building that nobody wanted to touch for four years because it wasn’t viable so our current location proves the concept of what we do, as well as what might be possible in a location which is fit for purpose like Leah’s Yard.”

DINA Sheffield Arts Centre on Cambridge Street has hosted dozens of events but must now close due to the HoC II redevelopment.

Director Deborah Egan OBE said: “Looking back on the way little mesters workshops operated, you see that Sheffield was built on a network of independence. It’s a really critical part of the city’s identity and we want to connect to that DNA.”

Tim Feben of Opus added: “We want the partnership to be radical, to be a place where organisations can come together and help make our city better for everyone, providing meaningful opportunities and an inclusive space for shared cultural experiences.”

In February, the city council applied for listed building consent to make the building structurally sound and bring it back into a usable condition, including making it weather-tight and by installing new windows, doors and roof.

At the time, Coun Mazher Iqbal said: “With some of the most interesting architecture in the city centre, this city block was always going to be one of the most challenging and rewarding blocks in the masterplan.

“Bringing Leah’s Yard back to its former glory is something high on our list of priorities.”

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