Arresting move for police station

THE first police station in Sheffield has been sold in a £700,000 deal which will see the historic building live on as prime office space in the heart of the city’s legal district.

South Yorkshire Police Authority has sold the grade two listed Castle Green police station for office accommodation.

The station was built in 1864 and became the original Sheffield police force’s first permanent home, having previously been based at the town hall.

The force was formed in 1818, when an Improvement Act was passed which tasked them with the “lighting, watching and the cleansing of Sheffield”.

Now the Victorian red brick building, which was sold by agents Knight Frank, will provide three stories of cellular office space, plus storage at lower ground floor level.

Lawyers from the Sheffield office of DLA Piper acted on behalf of South Yorkshire Police Authority.

Martyn Holland, partner in DLA Piper’s real estate team, said: “This is a beautiful old building with a fantastic history, which unfortunately was no longer suitable for modern policing.

“The legal work was made more difficult by the age of the building, as some of the title documents and deeds were either very old or missing.

“However, I am delighted to have completed the sale on behalf of South Yorkshire Police Authority to ensure the site lives on as office space close to both Sheffield’s courts.”

Knight Frank associate Rebecca Schofield said: “I’m pleased to have worked with DLA Piper on the sale of this building, which is a timely indicator that the market is moving and there are some good deals to be had on some wonderful, historic buildings like this one.”