An historic building in Burngreave is being given a new lease of life with the announcement that work is to start on a major refurbishment programme.
Vestry Hall, on Burngreave Road, is to receive £3 million from BNDfC to turn it into a state-of-the-art community learning and events venue.
A grade II listed building, Vestry Hall was originally built to house the rates collection and registry for the area.
Its restoration, a central part of the regeneration of the whole of Burngreave, has received the full backing of Sheffield City Council.
The building is owned by the Duke of Norfolk estate but has been let to the council on a longterm basis. They have recently handed this lease over to BNDfC so the work can be completed.
The project will include a full structural repair, underpinning, re-roofing, treatment of timbers, renewal of windows, cleaning of stone work and a new first floor and basement. All original and significant features that can be retained and restored will be and substantial new facilities added.
The centre will house:
A high tech centre for e-learning
Community events and activities
Out of school study opportunities for young people.
Rose Ardron, local resident and Chair of the BNDfC Partnership Board, said: “The refurbished Vestry Hall will not only offer much needed good quality learning space in Burngreave but it is an opportunity to provide basic skills training for residents.”
Councillor Jackie Drayton, Chair of the Burngreave Area Panel said: “The Vestry Hall is a landmark building in the heart of Burngreave. Its refurbishment reflects a great deal of hard work by people in the local community, Burngreave New Deal for Communities and the City Council.”
Work is due to commence at the end of February, and will be completed by March 2007.
Anyone requiring further information should call BNDfC on 292 0393 or visit the site office in front of Vestry Hall and ask for the site manager.
(L–R, back) Neil Moss from contractors Simpsons York Ltd, Neil Stanley from Sheffield City Council and Steve Parnell from AllenTodd Architects (L–R, front) Saleema Imam from Vestry Hall Working Group and Burngreave resident, Cllr Jackie Drayton from Burngreave Area Panel and Burngreave resident and Muhammed Iqbal, Vice Chair of BNDfC and Burngreave resident.