Windfall will bring city landmarks ‘alive’

Sheffield Cathedral and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a former 18th century steelworks, are both set to be transformed into “star attractions” thanks to grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Fiona Spiers, head of the HLF for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “This investment is fantastic news for Sheffield, as we see two of the city’s much-loved heritage sites awarded funding to improve their visitor experience and bring them alive for the next generation.

“A stunning cathedral, dating back to 1430, and an 18th-century steelworks, a rare time capsule from a bygone industrial age, will now offer exciting opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the heritage on their doorstep.”

Sheffield Cathedral has received £1.3m towards its “Place for All People” project, which will see a new entranceway created, a new lighting system installed, new interpretation boards created and the beginning of a new “learning activities programme for children and adults”.

Dean Peter Bradley said: “The grant will be used to build a thrilling new entrance, full of light, so that it is much easier to come into the building.

“Just as importantly, working with the HLF and our other partners, we will now be able to develop many new ways for visitors, especially young people, to access, understand and enjoy our common heritage.”

Meanwhile, at Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, £895,000 will be spent on building a new heritage centre, with training programmes for volunteers.

John Hamshere, chief executive of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust, said: “Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is a place of outstanding historical significance and the funding will allow us to preserve the site and help safeguard its future.”