Plans revealed to transform historic Sheffield building

Plans have been revealed to transform a significant historic building in Sheffield to create a hub for independent businesses, local makers, festivals and unique cultural events, with the potential to attract 221,000 visitors and support thousands of jobs.Leah’s Yard is a 19th century building which once housed eighteen ‘Little Mesters’ industrial workshops. It forms part of Sheffield’s Heart of the City II development, between Cambridge Street and Backfields.Plans for the building have been submitted by Leah’s Yard Social Enterprise (LYSE), which brings together Union St, DINA – Sheffield Arts Centre and Opus Independents.LYSE aims to conserve and invest in the existing grade II*-listed building, while adding a new, carbon-neutral construction housing a multi-use venue and topped planted roofs.The redeveloped building would feature new retail space for local makers, artists’ studios, a café/bar and a new home for pop-up street food traders, an event and conference venue, office, desk and co-working space and a new, accessible public square.The applicants are proposing to invest £350,000 into building works on the site and launch Leah’s Yard Social Enterprise as a Community Benefit Society.