Work to begin to transform Salvation Army building

Work to ensure a deteriorating Grade II listed city centre building can last "another 100 years" is due to get under way next month, a council has confirmed.

The former Salvation Army Citadel on Cross Burgess Street in Sheffield was acquired by the city council in October.

The red-brick building opened in 1894, but has remained mostly empty since the Salvation Army moved out in 1999.

The council said work which was due to begin in February would "ensure heritage features are preserved and further deterioration is prevented".

The council, which has released pictures of how the inside of the building currently looks, said work done in two phases would include making the building watertight and repairing its "shell, core and structural defects".

The authority's heritage champion, Councillor Janet Ridler, described the project as a "key milestone in securing the future of this historic and important building within the city centre".

"I'm really looking forward to the work beginning and working with heritage groups, stakeholders and interested parties to ensure a successful future for the building," she added.

Meanwhile, Councillor Zahira Naz, chair of the Finance Committee at the council, said it was "vital" to bring the building back to life with a "suitable use".

However, he warned the transformation would "not happen overnight" and would carry "a substantial cost".

Mr Naz said the planned restoration would ensure "the more than a century old Citadel can be used for another 100 years".

No decision has been made yet on what the building will be used for once the redevelopment is complete.

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