The £12.5m refurbishment of Sheffield City Hall (pictured) as an entertainment and conference venue has taken a step closer with the decision by planning officers to back the plans.
The proposals have been submitted by Sheffield International Venues, which manages the building and has leased it from the council.
Refurbishment costs will be funded by the council, the Objective One programme and the Single Regeneration Budget.
It will focus mainly on internal renovations, additional seating, a bar and improved access.
The renovation of the listed building, in the Barkers Pool area of the city, is part of a masterplan to regenerate Sheffield city centre.
Urban Regeneration Company Sheffield One hopes to acquire the adjacent National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) headquarters building, which is vacant, as part of its effort to create a conference and entertainment quarter for Sheffield.
Sheffield councillors will consider the plans at a meeting on 26 January. If consent is granted, the City Hall will close for 15 months from May 2004 while the work is carried out.
References: EGi News 22/01/04
