City library could switch with art gallery building

Sheffield's Central Library could be set to move 100 yards across the road to a new home at a reimagined Millenium Gallery.

The proposals will be put to the council's Strategy and Resources Policy Committee later this month.

The plan would see the historical Central Library building on Surrey Street transformed into a destination art gallery with the return of Graves Gallery as well as the current Millenium Gallery exhibitions and new art spaces.

Sheffield Council Leader Fran Belbin said: "These are buildings and services that generations of Sheffield residents know and love, so it's important we get their future right".

The Grade II listed library building requires major repair work and has previously been cordoned off due to fears about crumbling brickwork and loose masonry.

Graves Gallery had been situated on the third floor of the building since 1934 until it was forced to close last month after problems with the old heating system.

Belbin said a feasibility study considered a "range of options" for the future of the buildings and services, looking at their costs, deliverability and potential social, cultural and economic benefits.

"We value this historic building and remain committed to looking after it. Taking the time to get its long-term future right must not mean allowing it to fall into neglect," she said.

Under the preferred option, the Graves Gallery would expand to occupy all of the Surrey Street building, creating more space for exhibitions, learning and cultural activity.

Initial draft options include a new level-access main entrance from Tudor Square and improved access throughout the building. The current architectural concepts also explore the possibility of a rooftop sculpture garden.

The move would see the Millennium Gallery building transformed into a new home for the Central Library, Children's Library and City Archives.

The vision includes expanded facilities for children and families and flexible spaces for study, learning, exhibitions, events and community activity.

Chief Executive of Sheffield Museums Kim Streets confirmed she was currently "liaising" with the council to identify a new interim home for the Graves Gallery collection in the city centre.

"We're looking at it from a security, accessibility point of view, thinking about actually how will it work for the collections, how will it work for all the school visitors that we anticipate having, how will it work importantly for our visitors," she added.

Director of Programmes at Sheffield Museums Kirsty Hamilton said she envisioned a "really amazing art destination".

"There's no doubt this is an expensive project but it's also a long-term project, it would absolutely transform the city centre.

"At this point, we've got some more work to do on the fundraising strategy. It will be a lot of money but these amounts of money are being spent in London.

"One of the extensions at the Tate is more expensive that we're projecting for this," she added.

Councillors are being asked to consider the findings of the feasibility study into the future options for the building and the services it supports at the committee meeting on 11 November.

They will decide whether the preferred option should progress to the next stage of development. This would include the preparation of more detailed briefing work for a major capital project and further engagement with Sheffield residents, users and stakeholders.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North