Sheffield Castlegate: How the city's historic gateway will be transformed into a new events arena

The Castle site is where Sheffield began, sitting on the spot where the original castle stood in 1184 and where the River Don and River Sheaf meet.

As part of the plans, the council hopes to celebrate the heritage of the area by exposing some of remains of the castle, including the former gatehouse, for the public to appreciate and admire. Other castle remains will remain in an underground chamber. Refurbishment is required in order to reopen it to the public.

Another throwback to the history of the site is the creation of an events space which is reminiscent of the ‘bowling green’ that inhabited the site in the 1600s. The events square will host up to 500 people at a range of events that will benefit from a plug and play provision.

The council’s plan will also bring out into the open a large section of the River Sheaf. The Sheaf runs underground and was covered over in the early 20th century.

Coun Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Our teams have worked incredibly hard to develop a plan which brings together the history of the space and offers an inviting space for Sheffielders to visit and enjoy within the city centre.

“The Castle site has played a crucial part in Sheffield’s history and remains an important part of our city."

Sheffield City Council secured £20m from the Levelling Up Fund in October 2021 to transform the Castle site. The area was once home to Sheffield Castle and Castle Market but is currently boarded up and in a derelict state.