Plans have been submitted to transform a derelict quad of workshops in the heart of Sheffield into a creative hub.
The council and its strategic development partner, Queensbury, have submitted the plans for Leah’s Yard on Cambridge Street as part of the ongoing Heart of the City development programme.
The Grade II* listed former “little meesters” workshops are on Historic England’s Buildings at Risk register, but will now become “a new destination for local independent businesses and retailers, socialising and enterprise”.
The 14,500 sq ft space will be managed by Sheffield Science Park Company along with bar operator Rockingham Group.
The £3m scheme will refurbish the existing space around a central public courtyard, surrounded by small boutique shops. The first and second floors will host around 20 independent working studios. New-build structures will be added to the southern side of the development and behind the retained 24-26 Cambridge Street frontage.
SSPCo chief executive Tom Wolfenden said: “Sheffield is full of extremely talented people who develop incredible products. Leah’s Yard will aim to bring these people and small businesses together and provide them with a route into the city centre.”
He added that it would also be a “truly memorable visitor experience, both in terms of the products you can buy and the atmosphere of the venue”.
He said the next step was to see what blend of retailers and “makers” the public wanted to see at Leah’s Yard “and what type of events we can host there”.
Queensbury’s project director Andrew Davison said: “We are working hard to retain attractive heritage across the Heart of the City masterplan and Leah’s Yard is arguably the flagship development in that regard. Run by two of our city’s most exciting food and drink and commercial entrepreneurs, we look forward to seeing the vision come to life.”
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