Spital Hill developments

While Ellesmere Green is being revamped, work will also be carried out by the Council to improve paving and lighting on Spital Hill. Artworks have also been commissioned for the area. These are being funding by the money Tesco must pay to the Council as part of the planning agreement.

Artworks

Pitsmoor-based photographer Richard Hanson has been commissioned, with two other artists, to produce art work celebrating Spital Hill and its people.

The artwork will be exhibited on the hoardings that run from the Wicker Arches along to Tesco on Savile Street, covering a length of over 100m, and will feature Richard's portraits of people who live on, work in and use Spital Hill in their daily lives. Artists Fabric Lenny and Yvonne Roberts are using art, design, text and additional photography to develop the theme of ‘A Common Thread’ which will tie the images together.

Already over 70 people have taken part and had their portraits taken – by the time the work is complete it's hoped there will be over 120 people photographed, and maybe many more.. There is a blog about the development of the work http://acommonthreadsheffield.blogspot.co.uk/

Metal sculpture

Sculptor Michael Johnson has also been commissioned to produce works for Ellesmere Green, outside the Vestry Hall and Caborn’s Corner. He uses materials such as stainless steel and bronze, and many works also include glass, stone and found objects. The designs are not yet decided but could be mosaics or standing sculptures.(http://michaeljohnsonsculptor.co.uk).

Traders forum and shop fronts

The Council has funding for improving shop fronts on Spital Hill. They have contacted businesses to form a traders forum to discuss how the funding could be spent.

Council officers suggest that new signage could have a consistent design, and shop fronts could be given a face-lift with brick cleaning. Shops can access these improvements for free, with opportunities to buy extra improvements, which would be completed by Council contractors.

The Council is also looking at providing training for local shop owners in business skills. Further meetings of the new Traders Forum are planned from late August.