From cells to hotel as developers buy up old police site

Sheffield’s West Bar Police Station, which opened in the 1960s, saw the last officers move out last year, and now the building has been sold by South Yorkshire Police for £2.5m.

The buyers, Sanguine Hospitality, have signed a franchise deal with Hilton Worldwide, and will now begin a £9.5m refurbishment to create 142 bedrooms and other facilities.

According to Sanguine, which describes itself as a specialist in hospitality development and management, the new hotel will operate under the Hampton by Hilton brand and will have “a range of contemporary features” included in its design.

Simon Matthews-Williams, chairman of Liverpool-based Sanguine, said the high-rise police station was the latest in a series of conversion and development projects undertaken by the company.

He added: “We are delighted to be able to restore the building to become the Hampton by Hilton Sheffield.

“We want to ensure it continues to tower over the city’s skyline as a quality hotel that will welcome many of the city’s tourists and visitors.”

The company said the hotel was expected to open next spring and would offer free high-speed internet access throughout, along with a free hot breakfast, and 24-hour snack area and a full bar.

The hotel’s location straddles the emerging St Vincent’s Quarter and West Bar, which are both expected to develop as extended areas of the city centre in the years ahead, if council aspirations are achieved.

Martyn Holland, a real estate consultant at Sheffield-based Irwin Mitchell solicitors, advised South Yorkshire Police Authority, which oversees the force’s finances, on the deal.

He said: “This completion marks another important step in the development of one of Sheffield’s highest profile buildings.

“I’m delighted to have been involved in the deal and particularly pleased that now the sale has completed, the hotel’s development can move forward. It will play what will be an important role in the continued regeneration of this part of the city centre.”

West Bar had become less important as a police stantion following the construction and then expansion of the modern police station at Attercliffe, outside the city centre, in the last two decades.

Estate agents Knight Frank have also advised on the sale of the building and one of its partners Peter Whiteley said the deal would be good news for central Sheffield’s future.

He added: “This area of Sheffield has undergone numerous redevelopments in recent years including the Metis mixed use building on the junction of Scotland Street and West Bar Green.

“This sale and the subsequent refurbishment is another significant development adjacent to the new ring road link, bringing further regeneration to the area, as well as jobs.”

South Yorkshire Police purchased Carbrook House, in Sheffield’s Lower Don Valley, as its new force headquarters last year in another deal brokered by Knight Frank and advised on by Irwin Mitchell.

South Yorkshire Police Authority said funds from the sale of the police station in West Bar and other “out-of-date” force-owned properties would contribute towards the costs of buying and refurbishing Carbrook House to the required standard.

The Hampton by Hilton hotels opening will follow the opening of several new hotels in Sheffield city centre in recent years, including the Holiday Inn Express near the canal basin, Jury’s Inn, Eyre Street and the Leopold Hotel on Leopold Street.

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