An historic building in Burngreave, Sheffield is being given a new lease of life with the announcement that work is to start on a major refurbishment programme.
Vestry Hall, on Burngreave Road, is to receive £3million from Burngreave New Deal for Communities (BNDfC) to turn it into a state-of-the-art community learning and events venue.
Once finished, the centre will be managed by local residents and run in partnership with BNDfC and local education providers.
A grade II listed building, Vestry Hall is a local landmark in the area and a good example of the Jacobean revival style of architecture. It was built to house the rates collection and registry for the area but has had many uses including a polling station, sports hall and even a soup kitchen. The hall stopped being used in 1997.
Its restoration, a central part of the regeneration of the whole of Burngreave, has received the full backing of Sheffield City Council.
The building is owned by the Duke of Norfolk estate but has been let to the council on a long-term basis. They have recently handed this lease over to BNDfC so the work can be completed.
The project will include a full structural repair, underpinning, re-roofing, treatment of timbers, renewal of windows, cleaning of stone work and a new first floor. All original and significant features that can be retained and restored will be and substantial new facilities added.
The centre will:
House a wide programme of adult education and training to assist people into employment
Be home for programmes designed to engage young people who haven't achieved sufficient qualifications at school and to help them re-engage with the education system in a less formal environment.
Provide a community-based after-school study support and pioneering high tech IT training facilities to promote e-learning.
Be available to rent for a range of recreational, health and social activities and as a small conference venue for receptions and local events.
Rose Ardron, local resident and Chair of the BNDfC partnership board, said: “The refurbished Vestry Hall will not only offer much needed good quality learning space in Burngreave but it is an opportunity to provide basic skills training for residents. When complete it will be fantastic resource for local people to access.”
Councillor Jackie Drayton, Chair of the Burngreave Area Panel said: 'The Vestry Hall is a landmark building in the heart of Burngreave. Its refurbishment reflects a great deal of hard work by people in the local community, Burngreave New Deal for Communities and the City Council. The restoration of the Vestry Hall to its former glory is an important step for Burngreave as a whole. The building will be a wonderful symbol representing the regeneration of the area, a phoenix rising from the ashes, for people travelling through the area, as well as those who live there."
Work is due to commence at the end of February, and will be completed by March 2007.
Anyone requiring further information should call BNDfC on 0114 292 0393 or visit the site office in front of Vestry Hall and ask for the site manager.