Call for Sheffield to create a new central library and secure future of Graves building

At a recent meeting, Coun Alan Hooper said: “It’s the issue and challenge for this committee to get somewhere with Graves Gallery and the Central Library. While ever I first started in 2004, the Central Library was a problem.

“We had the issue when the Chinese people were going to take it over and then backed out. We’ve looked for alternatives but the real challenge is to provide Sheffield with a state-of-the-art library like some of the other core cities have, such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.

“There is a big opportunity for Sheffield to come up to scratch, so I hope this committee can move this along once we’ve found a way forward, but it’s a real challenge.”

Lisa Firth, council director of parks, leisure and libraries, replied: “What we’re trying to do is not look at the library in isolation. We’re also looking at how that connects with the council’s new digital strategy for digital inclusion, but also customer services and the wider accommodation review.

“We’re making sure that all the links are joined up really in determining what a modern library service and a central library should look like for a city the size of Sheffield while also considering that the Graves building has the city’s art collection as well.

“So we’re doing these things in conjunction with Museums Sheffield, it’s very early stages and we’ll be getting some support to do that, and I will make sure that regular reports come back here.”

The grade II-listed Art Deco building on Surrey Street in the city centre opened in 1934. It needs extensive repairs and is surrounded by hoardings to keep people safe from the risk of falling masonry.

In 2016 it narrowly avoided being sold off to a Chinese conglomerate to be turned into a five-star hotel.

Last December, the council commissioned feasibility studies on developing a vision for a 21st-century central library and exploring the building’s potential as a gallery and arts venue.