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Very interesting

Top ten endangered Victorian buildings of the UK, not something to be proud of.

For anyone unsure it's the old Crown Court building down by the markets.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/17/nhomes217.xml

http://www.victoriansociety.org.uk/mostendangered.html

Probably go the same way as most of Sheffields old buildings, left to go to ruin, then pulled down for safety's sake.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h182/sretep/townhallengraving.jpg

is the old town hall for sale then?

Think the articles are a little miss leading as none of them point out that it was the former court house, it makes people think it is Sheffield city council who are to blame. I am surprised it as not been converted into flats/ wine bar the internal wooden panels are superb.

"Permission was granted for its conversion to a nightclub and offices in 2001. However, this proposal was not pursued. The council is in discussions with the current owners with a view to securing a viable future for the former Crown Courts building."

I'm not surprised it's been left empty for so long, as the immediate surroundings resemble a Bulgarian industrial town in the grip of a particularly bad and lengthy recession. When they've knocked the market and surrounding buildings down, someone will snap it up.

I thought that the other day - once the markets are gone and you have the square leading down to the river, it will be in a prime position.

Probably go the same way as most of Sheffields old buildings, left to go to ruin, then pulled down for safety's sake.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h182/sretep/townhallengraving.jpg

Sheffield planners would be squashing a couple of high rises in between those gaps at the side of the building.

I think it should be turned into a bit of an independent shopping mall, like the Corn Exchange in Leeds. It'd help kickstart my idea of turning the area into a bit of an alternative/independent area. (Obviously the markets need shifting first).

Sheffield planners would be squashing a couple of high rises in between those gaps at the side of the building.

Sheffield Planners wouldn't be doing anything. Planning officers don't put proposals together. They just approve or refuse them.

Shame theve never done anything with it. Looks like a paradise for pidgeons at the moment. I would love to have seen inside it, when it was in use.

Waingate/Haymarket are just an untidy and inadequate bus station and I wonder how many buses are funnelled through there every hour.

What can be done with a building that suffers so badly from bus blight ? ....perhaps the council have got a plan ? :)

Waingate/Haymarket are just an untidy and inadequate bus station and I wonder how many buses are funnelled through there every hour.

What can be done with a building that suffers so badly from bus blight ? ....perhaps the council have got a plan ? :)

No its not a bus station , however, I get your point it would be interesting to work out the total number of buses using it today as opposed to those in the 50's you would have to include the trams in that figure to get a true picture .

Although having said that other cities have managed to preserve old building on busy roads - look at Glasgow , Leeds , Liverpool, Manchester etc etc etc. There must be a reason why developers are keeping away from it. Look at the old post office building after the original approach bout 8 years ago when the liquor licence frightened em off we now have some one who is allegedly going to use the site for an hotel etc

There must be a reason why developers are keeping away from it.

Probably because it's not worth it for them yet. They won't be able to get any decent rental costs on it as it's in such a **** area.

How about converting the building into "GuanoLand", a pigeon-themed tourist attraction for lovers of these lovely scruffy birds and their discharges?

is the old town hall for sale then?

If this is the building opposite Castle Market, it is for sale. I catch the Crookes bus there in a morning and often wondered about it.

With the re-development of the market this building would be an definate asset to that area.

If this is the building opposite Castle Market, it is for sale. I catch the Crookes bus there in a morning and often wondered about it.

With the re-development of the market this building would be an definate asset to that area.

Yes Glennis, that is the building. However, it will never fall down as there are so many drunks and druggies propping it up all day. I always imagine it to be very elegant inside, and it would be lovely to have a look around it.

Sheffield Planners wouldn't be doing anything. Planning officers don't put proposals together. They just approve or refuse them.

True, but developers have a clear idea of what Sheffield planners will or wont accept and I shouldn't be suprised if a developer is even now considering what they could put up in place of the old town hall.
Given that the entire area around the Castle Markets is up for redevelopment, I'd guess the Victorian Society decided to include the old town hall in their list as a preemptive strike, making it more difficult for the council to demolish it.

Rob

From the council website: (about the plans for the Castlegate Quater):

"The current lack of architectural definition in the Castlegate Quarter will provide the licence for bold contemporary architecture and urban design. The quarter’s remaining Victorian and Edwardian buildings will be rejuvenated and adapted to modern day use, so as to retain a connection with the area’s past."
http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/urban_design/quarters_castlegate_vision.htm

"Architectural style and materials
Conserve and enhance remaining historic buildings in the quarter such as the former Crown Court, to serve as a reminder of its past. Where appropriate these buildings should be sensitively refurbished to allow them be used by modern businesses."
http://sccplugins.sheffield.gov.uk/urban_design/quarters_castlegate_principles.htm

It looks as though they fully intend to keep the crown court building, so hopefully it should be staying.

If this is the building opposite Castle Market, it is for sale. I catch the Crookes bus there in a morning and often wondered about it.

With the re-development of the market this building would be an definate asset to that area.


Yes it is that building but it as been for sale for ages thats the point

It looks as though they fully intend to keep the crown court building, so hopefully it should be staying.

The Council is certainly making the right noises but dont rely on that. The Council made the right noises when it created the City Centre Conservation Area to protect the city's historic buildings. The New Retail Quarter falls almost entirely within the City Centre Conservation Area and involves the mass demolition of historic buildings on a scale unseen in Sheffield since the 1960s.
Dont underestimate the Council's willingness to grovel to anybody who waves a wad of cash under its nose.

Rob

Now it's listed as 'at risk' it probably gives the council even more excuse to knock it down :(

I think Corporation were going to have it at one point, turning the old cells into gaming 'rooms' and so on, and it would have been a seriosuly cool nightclub but then they moved to the venue they are in now.

I am surprised it as not been converted into flats/ wine bar the internal wooden panels are superb.

It location is it's biggest problem, it's in a seriously grotty area.

Yes it is that building but it as been for sale for ages thats the point


The building is not for sale. The real estate agent who's sign still adorns it has not had it on its books for two years.

The building is Grade II listed.

It has a new owner.

A previous owner undertook essential repair work to help preserve the building.

The building is not for sale. The real estate agent who's sign still adorns it has not had it on its books for two years.

The building is Grade II listed.

It has a new owner.

A previous owner undertook essential repair work to help preserve the building.

My view then is that real estate is a disgrace to his proffesion having a sign on a listed building two years after it was sold

I'd dearly love to see something done with the old town hall... plus a number of the other older buildings in that area. One that stands out for me is the one in which KFC currently resides. It's a lovely curved frontage and once upon a time was probably a very upmarket building. Such a shame that it is now sat in the dirtiest, most squalid part of town.

Hopefully once the markets and associated S***-holes have gone that little area can be rejuvenated.

Maybe we could even uncover the remains of the castle?



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Maybe we could even uncover the remains of the castle?


That's the plan.:)

So where actually is the Old Town Hall, I thought they was only ever one. This being the current one which is getting some work done to it at the momnet by the looks of it with the amount of scaffolding around the place.

hello,
ive just been reading this and its all very interesting. im sick and tired of developers springing up blocks of identical flats (ie:student ones) which are cheaply made and of poor quality, whilst demolishing some of Sheffields heritage. Some of these old buildings can still be used and saved and add a lot more diversity to the city.

Ive started a campaign of trying to raise awareness of this, and although the council does recognise that a lot of the buildings are of importance, I think this needs to be stronger.

I dont think I can post links yet, but Ive set up a website where I propose doing a number of temporary projects to raise awareness. It seems to annoy others too, so I hope people will be interested.

Cheers

Anyone got pic of it now?

So where actually is the Old Town Hall

City Hall = on barker's pool/balm green, opposite cole's.
Town Hall = on pinstone st/surrey st, next to winter gardens.
Old Town Hall = on waingate/castle st, opposite the markets.


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Anyone got pic of it now?

Look on the second of the links in the original post.

Or try this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Old_Town_Hall


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... a lovely curved frontage...

mmmm... just like Mrs. TeaFan! :)

Aahhhhhhh I know where you mean now. Yep it would be nice if they spruced it up and used it for something. Maybe if they made the public more aware, I think for someone my age I'm pretty up on Sheffield matters so maybe they ought to tell the public what the building actually is.

Probably because it's not worth it for them yet. They won't be able to get any decent rental costs on it as it's in such a **** area.
I'm not surprised it's been left empty for so long, as the immediate surroundings resemble a Bulgarian industrial town in the grip of a particularly bad and lengthy recession. When they've knocked the market and surrounding buildings down, someone will snap it up.
It location is it's biggest problem, it's in a seriously grotty area.

They about sum it up.
I thought that the other day - once the markets are gone and you have the square leading down to the river, it will be in a prime position.
A bit optimistic, but I hope you are right.

It's a beautiful building, as is the building opposite (the former Cannon) see here as most don't notice it (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s21601)


EDIT: added a pic of Cannon, as people only see the crap at street level

It's a beautiful building, as is the building opposite (the former Cannon) see here as most don't notice it (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s21601)

Agreed.

There are some lovely buildings around there... if only people would LOOK... :)


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Just thought you all might like to know that the courthouse is being trashed by pikies. When we visited to potograph the place in october, apart from some minor water damage the place was mint inside. Now pikies have been getting in there and stripping out the pipework and copper wiring, smashing the place up and stripping the oak out. Such a shame. They have kicked in the door on the side near the old pub and ripped off the board when it was sealed up. There is water running everywhere in there now. Maybe one of you people who lives in Sheffield might like tocontact the heritage people in the council, or the police? I cannot remember the owners representative. Or not. Its up to you. Pikies do tremendous damage to places and just seem to get away with it. Look at High Royds asylum. All the damage done to the admin block from people stripping lead off the roof. Oh well.

Anyone got pic of it now?



http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee164/pick110/100_0064.jpg

Just thought you all might like to know that the courthouse is being trashed by pikies. When we visited to potograph the place in october, apart from some minor water damage the place was mint inside. Now pikies have been getting in there and stripping out the pipework and copper wiring, smashing the place up and stripping the oak out. Such a shame. They have kicked in the door on the side near the old pub and ripped off the board when it was sealed up. There is water running everywhere in there now. Maybe one of you people who lives in Sheffield might like tocontact the heritage people in the council, or the police? I cannot remember the owners representative. Or not. Its up to you. Pikies do tremendous damage to places and just seem to get away with it. Look at High Royds asylum. All the damage done to the admin block from people stripping lead off the roof. Oh well.

Maybe you should ring the police.

Just thought you all might like to know that the courthouse is being trashed by pikies. When we visited to potograph the place in october, apart from some minor water damage the place was mint inside. Now pikies have been getting in there and stripping out the pipework and copper wiring, smashing the place up and stripping the oak out. Such a shame. They have kicked in the door on the side near the old pub and ripped off the board when it was sealed up. There is water running everywhere in there now. Maybe one of you people who lives in Sheffield might like tocontact the heritage people in the council, or the police? I cannot remember the owners representative. Or not. Its up to you. Pikies do tremendous damage to places and just seem to get away with it. Look at High Royds asylum. All the damage done to the admin block from people stripping lead off the roof. Oh well.

Did you inform the police or the security firm that's meant to guard the place? Actually it's right next door to Snig Hill, the police should have been on the case.

Just one thing, how do you know it was pikies who did it? Do you have some inside information? Couldn't it have been any criminals, there's a lot of money in scrap now because of the high value of commodities.

I went round yesterday and had a look. Sure enough the back entrance had been forced. I rang the non-emergency police 101 number and reported it. They said they would go round and take a look. Presumably they will contact the owners. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get it fixed.....

Think the articles are a little miss leading as none of them point out that it was the former court house, it makes people think it is Sheffield city council who are to blame. I am surprised it as not been converted into flats/ wine bar the internal wooden panels are superb.

Location location location ..................

I remember some years ago talking to gentleman who connections to a local historical society in Sheffield. I asked him why non of the old "mesters" workshops were not being preserved. He said that the Labour council " Did not ant future generations to see how the working class was exploited by the wealthy. This chap pointed out to the councillor that "little mesters" were the owners of their workshops and were only governed by the Cutlers guild. Sheffield councils have destroyed more of the cities heritage than Hitlers bombs did.

^^Not sure what that has to do with this thread. :confused:

Nice one for checking it out and reporting it flantastico. :)

I went round yesterday and had a look. Sure enough the back entrance had been forced. I rang the non-emergency police 101 number and reported it. They said they would go round and take a look. Presumably they will contact the owners. It will be interesting to see how long it takes to get it fixed.....

With in hours.

If the police can not get hold of the keyholder then they have the power to have the building sealed.

I reported a broken window at a shop on woodseats late last year the shop holders were away they got the contracts and it was sealed within hours

http://www.urbanadventure.co.uk/2008/01/20/the-sheffield-courthouse-night-and-day/#more-73

The oak panelling seems to be getting stripped out of the courtrooms according to this report

Location location location ..................

It is owned by an Isreali who has plans for it, but last I head he was off in Rumania pursuing someother financial opportunity. Anyway the place is being ruined. Locks cut out of cell doors, porcelain smashed, copper stripped, oak panels ripped out and stolen. Shame you cant look after something n the middle of your own city. Anyway I have done my bit by telling you about it. It's up to you to do something about it now. I saw it as it was and that's enough for me. This sort of thing is happening to old (and new buildings) all over the country. Noone seems to care...

It is a beautiful building and if the owners are not looking after it, surely they could be prosecuted? It's actually the 2nd town hall. There was one by the Cathedral and when they widened the high street they built a new one, but obviously that wasn't grand enough so then they built the present one.

With in hours.

If the police can not get hold of the keyholder then they have the power to have the building sealed.

I reported a broken window at a shop on woodseats late last year the shop holders were away they got the contracts and it was sealed within hours

I used to own the company contracted to turn up and make safe, our contract with the Police Authority meant we had to be on site at any incident within 30 mins of being called anywhere within the authorities boundary's.

http://www.urbanadventure.co.uk/2008/01/20/the-sheffield-courthouse-night-and-day/#more-73

The oak panelling seems to be getting stripped out of the courtrooms according to this report
Some excellent pictures on that site. I've never seen inside it before.

Was it really open as late as 2001? I don't have any memories of it being in use that I can recall.

http://www.urbanadventure.co.uk/2008/01/20/the-sheffield-courthouse-night-and-day/#more-73

The oak panelling seems to be getting stripped out of the courtrooms according to this report


Nice to see the pictures you took, but don't you feel that you are partly responsible for the state of the place now. You must have broken in to take the pics and I notice that you do not want to be recognized. Maybe you should have reported to the police that the building was not secure. Other towns make their old courthouses a tourist attraction. Sheffield money grabbing councillors are only interested in self, party and maybe the citizens last.
I wonder where in the city accounts does the sale show up and how much they got for it.
Even more importantly where was the money spent.

Nice to see the pictures you took, but don't you feel that you are partly responsible for the state of the place now. You must have broken in to take the pics and I notice that you do not want to be recognized. Maybe you should have reported to the police that the building was not secure. Other towns make their old courthouses a tourist attraction. Sheffield money grabbing councillors are only interested in self, party and maybe the citizens last.
I wonder where in the city accounts does the sale show up and how much they got for it.
Even more importantly where was the money spent.

I don't really see how a one person taking photos can be held responsible for someone else breaking and entering. If the site was secure - they couldn't have walked in there could they?

If a building has been broken into and is being stripped out by theives how can you blame a photographer taking photos to publicise that?

Seems a bit like shoot the messeger to me!!

If you are concerned maybe YOU should report this to the police. Maybe the the security firm being paid to secure the site should report it to the police. You don't know maybe they did notify the authorities?

I don't really see how a one person taking photos can be held responsible for someone else breaking and entering. If the site was secure - they couldn't have walked in there could they?

If a building has been broken into and is being stripped out by theives how can you blame a photographer taking photos to publicise that?

Seems a bit like shoot the messeger to me!!

If you are concerned maybe YOU should report this to the police. Maybe the the security firm being paid to secure the site should report it to the police. You don't know maybe they did notify the authorities?


Indeed so, sometimes the 'happy pirates' of society are all we have for future years records.

Personally i don't think this building is going to survive if it can't be rested from its current owner Danny, so take some more please!!!

I don't really see how a one person taking photos can be held responsible for someone else breaking and entering. If the site was secure - they couldn't have walked in there could they?

If a building has been broken into and is being stripped out by theives how can you blame a photographer taking photos to publicise that?

Seems a bit like shoot the messeger to me!!

If you are concerned maybe YOU should report this to the police. Maybe the the security firm being paid to secure the site should report it to the police. You don't know maybe they did notify the authorities?

It could be (heaven forbid) that the pictures were seen on the web and gave some one ideas.

Nice to see the pictures you took, but don't you feel that you are partly responsible for the state of the place now. You must have broken in to take the pics and I notice that you do not want to be recognized.

A common misconception. Usually the place is opened up by chavs or metal thieves. That's when people like Syme take the opportunity and go in and get photos.

However, I believe the building had an open first / second floor window for quite some time.

A common misconception. Usually the place is opened up by chavs or metal thieves. That's when people like Syme take the opportunity and go in and get photos.

However, I believe the building had an open first / second floor window for quite some time.


So in your opinion any private property that has an open door or window is an invitation for anyone to enter. Must keep my doors and windows locked when you are around.

Maybe if you had something worth exploring and in danger of being lost forever, but I sincerely doubt that!

make it into a local transit prison, and for the sake of irony, put a statue on it of judge pickles...

So in your opinion any private property that has an open door or window is an invitation for anyone to enter. Must keep my doors and windows locked when you are around.

As far as the law is concerned the answer would be yes, as long as there was no intent to remove anything or cause damage.

i wished they just flatten this place,along with the old Castle Market,BHS,old GPO and the hideous Roxy buiding and build something spectcular,as much as old buildings may be nice to look at,converting them isn't often practical and that end of town is a complete **** hole

i wished they just flatten this place,along with the old Castle Market,BHS,old GPO and the hideous Roxy buiding and build something spectcular,as much as old buildings may be nice to look at,converting them isn't often practical and that end of town is a complete **** hole

Indeed, lets get rid of all the historical buildings and build more clubs and shopping centers for chavs.

Indeed, lets get rid of all the historical buildings and build more clubs and shopping centers for chavs.

Great idea. :thumbsup::D Sheffield needs to look more like Milton Keynes, Slough, Hemmel Hempstead, then maybe we can attract more unique shops to the area, like 02, Starbucks, Greggs, Spar, Tesco, etc. Maybe there could be a MacDonalds type burger place like....MacDonalds for example?:hihi::hihi::D

i wished they just flatten this place,along with the old Castle Market,BHS,old GPO and the hideous Roxy buiding and build something spectcular,as much as old buildings may be nice to look at,converting them isn't often practical and that end of town is a complete **** hole

You have got to be kidding!! That building is stunning absolutely, There are some amazing features, The skylights are wonderful. It could be converted into something really special if someone had a bit of vision. The old courtrooms might make a interesting place to eat for example. The clock tower is one of the nicest things in sheffield city centre.

The old post office is the same - simply stunning.

I agree, you'd have to be mad to knock some of the buildings around there down.

You have got to be kidding!! That building is stunning absolutely, There are some amazing features, The skylights are wonderful. It could be converted into something really special if someone had a bit of vision. The old courtrooms might make a interesting place to eat for example. The clock tower is one of the nicest things in sheffield city centre.

It will just sit there empty and unused for years and years until the structure become unstable enough to be deemed unsafe and the council will then get permission to demolish it.

Perhaps there is a case for whoever lists an old and redundant building to also have to find the cash to convert it to something useful ?

These old buildings were built to last. However, they weren't designed to withstand pikey attacks of stripping the lead flashing from the roof. This leads to severe internal water damage in a very short space of time.

The old post office is the same - simply stunning.

What's hapening with that?

There is some work happening in there but I'm not sure what they're doing. There is a bit of water damage towards the rear of the building in the old sorting area.