Sheffield Council’s Container Park with big screen and shops lands on Fargate

Construction workers lifted the eight containers into place from 5am in the morning now windows, facilities and design features will be fitted before opening in a few weeks.

When completed it will feature food vendors, shops, toilets, living walls, outdoor seating and a big screen in a bid to draw more visitors to the area.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, chair of the regeneration committee, said along with other projects, this will complement events like the Christmas markets and provide a springboard for independents.

He said: “It’s absolutely amazing. You know, we put the visuals out earlier this year and to finally see them arrive is fantastic news.

“The businesses are really excited. There is a lot of activity happening and they want to be here serving food for customers.”

He added: “I just want to say thank you to everyone for being patient. Once it’s open, please come down and use it.”

One of the main features is a big TV screen which Coun Iqbal said will play all sorts from children’s movies to big events.

He said the Container Park will be in place for as long as people want it there and it could be moved around the city centre or even taken to a district centre in another part of Sheffield.

Who is taking on the Container Park units?

Seven local independent businesses were named as those taking on the attraction.

They are: Jam Art Works (original prints), Yoki (Korean street food), Urban Slice (pizzas), Hide (events), Re-Owned (pre-owned clothing), Get Wurst (German street food) and Cake & Craft (bakes).

The project was led by the council and Steel Yard, a Sheffield based shipping container specialist, using £446,000 from the Get Britain Building fund.

Delays

The project was due to open ahead of the Women’s Euros but it was partly delayed when Yorkshire Water raised concerns about it damaging the sewers.

Yorkshire Water – which was not consulted – said the original plans approved by the council could pose risk to one of the biggest sewers in Sheffield and harm the sewer network.

The council and Yorkshire Water eventually came to an agreement after the local authority put forward new proposals moving the entire structure approximately 1.3 m to the right.

This will not change the layout, quantity or look of the containers and the cost was unaffected, according to the council.

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Updated plans did not require new planning permission, the local authority said, because approval was granted for the whole area at the top of Fargate.

A council spokesperson added: “Nothing has changed about what’s already been approved for the containers. It’s the same development delivered in the same way, but just located slightly to the right of where it was initially planned.”