Agenda item

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.

9.1

The Head of Regeneration and Property Services and the Principal Development Officer submitted a report updating Members on the delivery of the Future High Streets Fund ‘Front Door Scheme’ and seeking 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 would be made available through Renew Sheffield to assist new and small businesses with capital fit-out costs on occupying vacant property.

9.2

An evaluation report would be produced at the end of the financial year to monitor the return on investment, Officers agreed to share the report with the Committee.

9.3

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.

9.4

Reasons for Decision

9.4.1

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.

9.5

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.5.1

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.