Finally! Former museum on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield sold after a decade empty

The building, at 605 Ecclesall Road, previously housed the Sheffield Traditional Heritage Museum containing walk through exhibits such as a replica kitchen from the 1920s and shops from Sheffield’s past.

The museum closed to the public in 2011 as then owners the University of Sheffield said it could not afford to maintain it – and has stood empty ever since.

Matthew Barnsdale, director of MJB Commercial Property, confirmed the museum site had been sold for an undisclosed sum to developer Murray Road Partners at the end of 2020.

The developers have since tidied the site and its grounds and are now instructing him to market the 5,000 square feet site for rent.

Mr Barnsdale said: “It has been on the market for at least two years – maybe longer. We had limited amounts of interest when the market was stronger and prior to Covid.

"Externally its a good spot and it has an interesting history but inside it is a shell and the fit out costs would be substantial so getting the right deal for everybody was tough. The market got worse and worse and we were instructed to take it off the market, it went back on last year.

"It was bought by local developers who want to let it and create investment. That’s what we are doing.”

The building sits close to other shops, pubs and restaurants on Ecclesall Road.

In 2017, it was expected to become a new bar, but the deal did not come to pass.

Mr Barnsdale said the new owners had ‘no preconceptions’ about its future use.

He added: “It’s probably got to be something a little bit different. It’s in a good spot with an interesting frontage and it has rear access, a bit of parking.

"It’s got quite a lot going for it. It needs somebody with a bit of vision, reasonably deep pockets and a lot of commitment to get something off the ground.

“We would be delighted to talk to anybody who is interested.”

The museum’s collections were relocated after its closure, many to the Green Estate, operators of Sheffield Manor Lodge .

A spokesman for The University of Sheffield said: “The University has accepted an offer to sell 605 Ecclesall Road, previously the Traditional Heritage Museum.

"We have been looking to lease the building for a number of years however, as a charity, have needed the sale to represent good value for the University. We are pleased that the site will be brought back into use and positively contribute to the local area.”

Anybody interested in the building can contact MJB on 0114 282 3080.