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Our Old Town Hall Is Falling Down


mickjj

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This the THE biggest Sheffield History challenge at the moment. It is unbelieveable how this building can be left as it is. I wonder how many peole notice the building as they walk past? Combined with the hopefully soon to be exposed Castle remains it could create a great open space/local history area.

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After doing jury service in 1970 we were given a guided tour of the whole of the old Town hall. How sad to see such an impressive old build building finish up like this. W/E.

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Hmmm.

I am sure that the University of Sheffield can be called upon to come up with some bold and striking new design to replace it!

After all, who wants wood and stone, when you can have lots of shiny new concrete and steel in its' stead! <_<

However, the current strategy of just letting it fall apart in its' own good time seems to be working quite well. :(

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The Council could take steps. I have already asked them why they hadn't. There are a number of people who would like to take it on and preserve it. I have told the Council this but as yet no response from them. It says in their grand plan of 2005 that it is important to the development of the area that the building be preserved and used. If anyone has any information on any impending plans for the Old Town Hall or would like to push for its preservation they can get in touch with me. At the moment it is very difficult to get information. I hope to have some news in the next few weeks that may help.

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I understand the Council is looking to see what they can do. As it is, I understand the building is owned by a North London developer who, it would seem, would be happy for it to fall down or be listed as a dangerous structure and leveled for, presumably, new development

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The council should be ashamed the state they've let the Old Town Hall get into and I do blame them. Anything I can do to help just get in touch.

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It doesn't belong to SCC...I imagine the Government disposed of it when it ceased to be a Court House. SCC get blamed for most things but, sometimes, it's beyond their powers!

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It is not beyond their powers to intervene. They have done before with the old Gas Corporation buildings. When you buy a Grade 2 listed buildings you have a legal duty of care for that building. The present owner is clearly not doing so. The Council has already warned the owner previously. They can legally take the building off them.

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If SCC was to take over the building I wonder where the money required to make the building safe would come from, bearing in mind that as the new owners all work would have to be done quickly? Perhaps SCC already has a more cost effective strategy involving the entire area...but, maybe,it is a slow process???

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What a superb building: it just shouts "industrial prosperity". Fittingly for a former court, the neglect of this fine structure is verging on criminal.

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What doesn't help this old lady is the bus stops that are on two sides of the building, it's walls invite graffiti and rubbish by certain people waiting there.

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There has been a bus stop/tram stop by the side of the Court House for decades....serving the same parts of the City as now.. That the walls never used to receive graffiti is largely on account of older generations having respect for property....and people dropped less rubbish because there was less packaging and we had...road sweepers...who patrolled the area. I caught the bus/tram from the stop for nearly 40 years!

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Graffiti has grown since the obvious run down of the building as happens. It iwn't like it is being shown any obvious respect. Now the Market is closed and empty shops are now all turned to bookies there is an even bigger chance of vandalism to the Town Hall and other Victorian and listed buildings in the area.

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Guest Coldstreamer

Yet another fine old building being neglected in this city. How many more Victorian buildings or buildings of historical interest have to be lost in Sheffield. Thank heaven the old GPO is being seen to. The Council should use its power and force the owners to at least take remedial action.

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I agree. There is also the Anglican Chapel at the General Cemetery, the old horn Works at Cambridge Streets, the Citadel (Old Salvation Army building) and 2 council owned buildings the stables at Hillsborough Park and High Hazels House in High Hazels Park.

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I agree. There is also the Anglican Chapel at the General Cemetery, the old horn Works at Cambridge Streets, the Citadel (Old Salvation Army building) and 2 council owned buildings the stables at Hillsborough Park and High Hazels House in High Hazels Park.

I noticed when passing the other day the chapel is surrounded with scaffolding. Presumably something is happening to the place?

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And I heard sawing and banging from inside the Anglican chapel on Sunday. Some new doors have also been fitted. There is some kind of work going on in there that's for sure.

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Went to the Friends of Sheffield Castle AGM and talk today and got an update on the old town hall. When it became the law courts possession passed from the Council to the lord Chancellor's office. When the courts moved to new premises, it was sold to a series of developers. The current owners don't seem to have any idea of what to do with it, and it's being left to deteriorate. The Council have been in discussion for some time with a view to buying it. At the same time they now have the powers to carry out remedial work and charge it to the owners. They seem to be on a cleft stick. Leave it to decay and beat the price down, or do the work, charge the owners and have to pay a higher price to acquire it. Given they're strapped for cash it's a difficult one. But at least they're trying to do something to save it.

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And I heard sawing and banging from inside the Anglican chapel on Sunday. Some new doors have also been fitted. There is some kind of work going on in there that's for sure.

And I heard sawing and banging from inside the Anglican chapel on Sunday. Some new doors have also been fitted. There is some kind of work going on in there that's for sure.

I think you mean the Non Conformist Chapel which belongs to Gen Cemetery Trust who are turning it into a community/education building.

Answer to Old Town Hall could be for a public share system such as they did to buy and renovate Hastings Pier. Their pier was in a worse state than the town hall due to a fire and they did a system of shares where they will get money back now the pier is open and they are charging admission. Even if I didn't get money back wouldn't mind putting up small contribution to save a great historic building.

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no its definitely the Anglican chapel as well. I live next door to the cemetery and walk through it several times a week.

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That is surprising as the Anglican Chapel was bought as part of a housing scheme which was had planning permission blocked so wonder if it has changed ownership?

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