Operator sought to run planned cultural event hub

Plans to create a cultural community hub on Sheffield’s Fargate are progressing, with the council now seeking an operator to run the space.

Event Central is a regeneration project commissioned by Sheffield City Council and funded through the Future High Streets Fund, which will see the refurbishment of the existing building at 20-26 on Fargate.

The council is looking for an operator committed to successfully developing and managing Event Central, as well as taking a lead on the regeneration of the wider Fargate area.

Event Central will showcase Sheffield’s diverse talent with artistic events and opportunities for exhibitions, workshops and talks to be hosted in one space. It will also feature co-working spaces, a café/juice bar and a 200-capacity standing music venue.

The development will see the creation of a flexible space for a year-round programme of major international events in Sheffield, expected to attract more than 110,000 visitors a year.

As part of the wider Future High Streets Fund project, pocket parks will be introduced through Fargate, using the design skills and knowledge gained through the Grey to Green scheme.

Sheffield City Council’s bid for the Future High Streets Fund has been supported by the University of Sheffield.

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, co-chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Event Central promises to be an incredible and welcomed addition to Fargate.

“We have a rich artistic heritage in Sheffield and it will be fantastic to see this celebrated all under one roof.”

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, director of city and culture at the University of Sheffield and member of Sheffield’s Future High Street Fund Stakeholder Panel, added: “This is an exciting time for the reinvention of Fargate and the university is pleased that the vision we helped to create with Sheffield City Council is coming to fruition.

“Event Central is designed to have a strong community element, benefit the people of Sheffield as well as showcase our wonderful creative artists.

“It is destined to be a culturally vibrant addition to our city centre and I am confident Sheffield will be proud of it.”

Interested parties will need to submit an expression of interest by noon on 19 October. Once submitted, the council will shortlist a number of operators, asking for more detailed proposals before deciding on an appropriate operator.