Content

9.1

To update on delivery
of the Future High Streets Fund ‘Front Door Scheme’ and
seek approval to award capital grants of:
 

(1) 
£250,000 to The Sheffield Church Burgesses
Trust, towards the costs of shop front improvements on Chapel Walk
and internal access works and reconfiguration of vacant upper
floors for new workspace;
 

(2) 
£650,000 to The Foundry Sheffield towards the
costs of shop front improvements, internal ground floor access and
reconfiguration works to vacant upper floors at Victoria Hall,
Chapel Walk;
 

(3) 
£250,000 for the Council to commission works
of Public Art in Chapel Walk; and
 

(4) 
£90,000 dedicated small grants for Chapel Walk
that will be made available through Renew Sheffield to assist new
and small businesses with capital fit-out costs on occupying vacant
property.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That Finance Committee:-

 

 

 

(a) 
approves the grant of £250,000 to Sheffield
Church Burgesses Trust and £650,000 to The Foundry
Sheffield;
 

(b) 
allocates £250,000 to the Council for its
commissioning of works of public art in Chapel Walk as set out in
this report; and
 

(c)  
grants £90,000 to Renew Sheffield to assist
new and small businesses with capital fit-out costs on occupying
vacant property in Chapel Walk.

 

 

9.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

9.3.1

Approval of the grant
funding to the landowners will secure additional private and public
sector investment in the buildings. It will contribute to
delivering a fully accessible concert/performance space and new and
enhanced commercial floorspace.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Do nothing - Without
grant assistance the buildings are likely to remain vacant and/or
underused and issues arising from anti-social behaviour will not be
addressed. The enhancement of Chapel Walk was an integral element
of the vision for Fargate and High
Street approved by Government. The vision highlights the importance
of this pedestrian route but also the opportunities to introduce
new uses into vacant property.