Sheffield puts the brakes on Event Central

Less than a week after it was announced that Willmott Dixon would be delivering the 20,000 sq ft scheme, the city council has once again halted the project as estimated costs double to £14.4m.

The building was due to be converted into an events space for around 200 people, with work expected to start by the end of the month and complete by autumn next year.

Sheffield City Council was granted £15.8m of Levelling Up funding to invest into the Fargate area, of which Event Central was supposed to be only one part.

This isn’t the first time the project has been delayed: Initially, two unsuccessful procurement processes halted progress before work stopped again while the council concentrated on other construction in Fargate.

Last December the council said work would begin in early 2025, which evidently did not happen.

Planned works included structural alterations to create an atrium that spans up to the first floor, strengthening works to accommodate revised loadings, changes to the façade, and a fit-out of both the music venue and workspace.

The council’s finance committee now paused the project again, as incorrect estimates led to the cost increasing from £7.7m to £14.4m.

Cllr Martin Smith said: “Why has it gone up by such an astronomical amount? Does this scheme still stack up?

“We’re talking about event space for 200-300 people. The council has already constructed one in Bethel Chapel as part of the Heart of the City scheme, and it hasn’t been able to let that.

“This is a huge increase in the amount of public money that’s going into it and I’m looking for confidence that this still a wise use of public money.”

Structural engineer Eastwood & Partners and architect Enjoy Design were part of the project team.

An emergency meeting to discuss the project has been scheduled for 28 August.