Controversial hospitality and retail container park to be dismantled

A collection of eight containers, set up to accommodate street food and local independent shops in Fargate, Sheffield, will begin to be dismantled from Monday January 30.

The Sheffield City Council project, intended to support post-pandemic economic recovery, has been dogged by controversy over costs and delays.

The containers were supposed to open in July last year. However, this was delayed by three months until October – with a number of the units remaining unoccupied.

Ajman Ali, executive director of operational services, said: “We have learned several lessons from this project and, while we’re disappointed it has not gone as we had hoped, we’re so pleased several brilliant independent businesses from Sheffield were able to raise their profile within the city.

“We have drawn up a range of options for the future of the containers which will be presented to councillors this month and look forward to having a clear direction for the future – whatever their decision is.

“We will also be conducting an internal audit report about the project to highlight lessons for the future and apply that learning to future projects.”

Sheffield City Council adds the businesses currently operating at this location have been informed of the council’s intentions to close the container complex by the end of the month. The dismantling process will take several weeks.