Concerns for historic site as youngsters seen climbing in and out of crumbling landmark
Concerns have been raised over the security of a historic Sheffield landmark, after young trespassers were seen climbing through the windows of the crumbling building in broad daylight.
Sheffield Old Town Hall, at the junction of Waingate and Castlegate, was once headquarters of Sheffield Council, and later the city’s crown court building.
It dates back to Georgian times, having been built in 1808, but has been disused since it closed as a court in 1995.
Youngsters were seen clambering out of a window on the building’s ground floor, carrying skateboards, on Tuesday (March 31).
They climbed in and out in broad daylight as the public walked past along Castlegate, in full view of people at nearby bus stops, at around 12noon.
Eye witnesses said a group of what appeared to be their friends waited on the ground but ran from the scene when people appeared to be starting to notice what was going on, leaving the two boys with skateboards to flee one after another as they climbed out.
The incident has sparked concerns from Valerie Bayliss, who chairs Friends of Sheffield Town Hall.
She said that the incident was the third she was aware of in the last couple of months at the building, which was sold at auction last year.
She said: “I am in despair that people are still breaking in, and the owners have still yet to announce any plans for what is a very important building.
“There have been 30 years of vandalism there - it is being repeatedly vandalised , inside and out. I think Sheffield Council officers have been doing a reasonably good job of following up reports of broken windows.
“I don’t know what leverage the council has one the owners though. I understand they are trying to get something done about urgent repairs, but these things take time.”
She warned that the inside of the Old Town Hall was dangerous and anyone who got inside the building would be at risk of injury. She said in some of the rooms the floors had given way.
She added: “It’s a scandal that it has got to this stage.”
The owners of the building have been approached for comment. Sheffield Council and South Yorkshire Police have also been contacted.