The owner of a Sheffield City Centre façade in danger of collapsing, has started work to remove it.
Contractors, working on behalf of Sheffield City Council, had started work to remove the Tudor-inspired design, in Haymarket, however, the owner of the former Wiley & Co frontage, has now requested that they carry out the work themselves.
Recent assessments of the condition of what remains, undertaken on behalf of the Council, had determined that it was in immediate danger of collapsing, posing a real risk to the public.
Discussions have since taken place between the owner of the façade, the City Council and the Health and Safety Executive, with the Council requesting the materials making up the frontage are recorded when they are removed and stored safely, when possible, for future reuse, in line with the original plans.
Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “I welcome the owner of the façade coming forward and offering to remove the dangerous structure. Given the fragility of the façade it remains vital that this is carried out as quickly and, more importantly, as safely as possible.
“Given the importance of the façade, we have requested the owner removes the structure in such a way as to record it as extensively as possible and stores the historically important elements for possible reuse. We hope this is something the owner is willing to do.”
Preparation work to ensure safe access to the site had already been carried out by contractors on behalf of Sheffield City Council. The owner is expected to begin the process of removing it in the coming days.
