Plans revealed for 'Event Central' to include exhibitions, cafes and other amenities in Sheffield city centre

Next week Sheffield Council’s Cabinet will formally press ahead with the first of three schemes to attract visitors to the city centre.

Work will start on clearing “clutter” and bringing in new greenery, seating, better lighting plus full fibre, 5G and wifi 6.

The second plan is to transform a vacant building into Event Central, with a year-round programme and space for exhibitions and events, a cafe and flexible workspace.

Thirdly, the council wants to work with landowners to open up direct front door access to upper floors of buildings so they can be converted for new uses.

A communal refuse system with underground chambers is planned for Fargate, providing “discrete high capacity refuse drops” for shops, offices, homes, and the general public.

Work will take place over 12-18 months and council bosses say it’s likely to coincide with a period when high street businesses will continue to experience low footfall.

Council officer Matt Hayman says in a report: “While this is a risk, it also presents an opportunity to take decisive action now.

“The principles underpinning our scheme are deemed to be all the more relevant given the medium to long-term stresses facing these sectors.

“Creating uses that attract and strengthen footfall will now be even more important as part of an economic recovery and adjusting to new economic realities.

“Sheffield’s historic high street is central to the city’s emotional identity and economic history.”

Fargate and High Street account for one tenth of city centre retail space, with 103 retail and leisure units. A year ago vacancy rates were just under 25 per cent, above national trends, and vacancies have increased due to the impact of Covid.

The report adds: “Even prior to Covid, Fargate and High Street were deemed to be unsustainable in their current form. Sheffield’s retail economy is undergoing fundamental restructuring and will be increasingly dependent on experience and quality of place.”

Sheffield received £16m from the Government’s Future High Street Fund after working with Sheffield University on the bid.