Content

8.1

The Director of Finance, Commercial and
Performance Services submitted a report seeking approval to proceed
with the next stage of the proposed roadmap to a restored,
refurbished and sustainable Town
Hall.
 
The Town Hall has been the democratic heart of
Sheffield for over 125 years and although it has been maintained
and remains structurally sound the building requires significant
investment to secure the long-term sustainable future of this
much-loved civic building.
 
Geoff Rich and Jess Evans from Feilden Clegg
Bradley Studios (Architects) attended the meeting and gave a
presentation on the briefing stage of the project (RIBA Stage 1),
sharing the consultant teams findings, approach and recommendations
for a reimagined, restored and sustainable Town
Hall.
 
Maria Christodoulou, Anna Tyack & Molly
Smith, students from the University of Sheffield’s School of
Architecture attended the meeting and gave a presentation setting
out details of a 'Live Project' that they had undertaken on
Sheffield Town Hall, exploring the social heritage of this
much-loved civic building through the voices of local people. On
behalf of Sheffield City Council, they collected stories and
memories to understand the Town Hall’s significance to
Sheffield’s identity—past, present, and
future.

 

 

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and
Resources Policy Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) notes the
work completed during the briefing phase (RIBA Stage 1), including
the identification/development of five feasibility options for
restoring and sustaining the Town Hall - ranging from minimal
intervention to creating a national exemplar;
 
(b) agrees to
progress to the next step of restoring the Town Hall, specifically
by:
 

·      
Focusing next-stage design efforts on feasibility options 4 and 5,
aiming for a scheme with over 60 years' longevity, consistent with
the 'one-time cost-effective' brief and visioning principles (as
described in section 1.5).
 

·      
Developing and implementing a stakeholder engagement plan to
establish a shared vision and ensure proposals address Sheffield's
future civic and public needs;
 
(c) approves an
increase to the existing budget of a further £4 million from
the Workplace Reserve to match the scale and ambition of exploring
options 4 and 5 (please see section 2.5). This funding will
provide:
 

·      
Provision of consultant fees and surveys to take the project
through to RIBA Stage 2 (concept design).
 

·      
Establish a client team with the capability and capacity to manage
a scheme of this value.
 

·      
An allowance for ongoing works to continue the occupation and
safety of the building, noting that all building works are
considered alongside the wider restoration project, no abortive
work is being undertaken; and
 
(d) agree to
receive a further report during RIBA Stage 2, which will provide
detailed information about commercial opportunities and financial
advantages of the recommended options, and help decide on the best
mix of uses, delivery methods, and procurement strategies for the
project.

 

 

8.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

8.3.1

The Town Hall
requires substantial investment to secure its future and ensure it
continues to serve the evolving civic and community needs of
Sheffield. The findings and recommendations from the briefing stage
have identified the most effective approach to fulfilling our
stewardship responsibilities for this valued heritage building in
the city centre.

 

 

8.3.2

Continuing to do
nothing is becoming increasingly costly and risky, making it clear
that scaling back or pausing the project, as has been done in the
past, is no longer a sensible choice, as shown in the feasibility
options. Postponing this investment raises the likelihood of
building failures and non-compliance, which could result in
accidents, injuries, additional floor closures, or even the
shutdown of the entire building.

 

 

8.3.3

This investment
will secure Sheffield’s principal civic heritage building for
future generations, deliver substantial enhancements, establish new
revenue streams, and offer significant socio-economic benefits.
Historic England’s recent independent evaluation into the
value of heritage led regeneration has proven through case studies
that heritage regeneration drives local economic growth and engages
communities alongside protecting and enhancing local historic
character.

 

 

8.3.4

The funding
model currently under development, as part of the comprehensive
asset strategy and accommodation review, will provide Members with
various options to ensure a well-maintained, purpose-fit, and
financially sustainable Council estate.

 

 

8.3.5

The Town Hall’s size, complexity, listed status, and
heritage value make this project especially demanding, particularly
when considered alongside the broader estate review. Therefore, it
is essential to expand the client
team and bring in dedicated specialists with the right expertise
to achieve the project's ambitious goals.

 

 

8.3.6

Town Halls across the country are being safeguarded for future
generations. It is essential we continue to build upon insights
gained from these precedents and to apply information from previous
studies while they remain current and relevant. The project
presents a unique opportunity for asset rationalisation, addressing
the needs of Sheffield’s communities, and transforming the
Town Hall from a mere backdrop into an active, participatory
building at the heart of city life.

 

 

8.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

8.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Do Nothing
This is not a realistic option because the Town Hall no longer
meets the requirements of our services and communities. Without
investment, this heritage asset will continue to deteriorate,
creating a substantial risk of additional closures within the
building and potentially resulting in its complete closure. Such
outcomes would seriously affect the democratic operations of the
council alongside reputational damage of not undertaking our
stewardship obligations for the building. Moreover, the cost of
emergency works are rising annually.

 

 

8.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Sell/dispose of
asset
It was considered whether the Council should acknowledge that it
is not in a financial position to maintain or continue stewardship
of the Town Hall and instead opt to sell the asset to an
organisation capable of ensuring the building’s long-term
future. This option has been discounted
because:
 

·      
The Town Hall is the purpose-built democratic heart of Sheffield
and has fulfilled this role for over 125 years; it is therefore
appropriate that it continues to host the city’s democratic
functions.
 

·      
The building possesses exceptional cultural and heritage
significance, being one of only five Grade I listed buildings in
Sheffield, and the Council’s preference is to retain
stewardship of this important civic asset.
 

·      
Additionally, the building does not offer significant commercial
appeal to developers due to the extensive repairs and maintenance
required, restrictions associated with its listed status, and
spatial configurations intended for democratic purposes, all of
which limit alternative uses.