£14.4m Sheffield Revamp Delayed Due to Power Supply Issues

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Sheffield City Council has confirmed that the Event Central cultural activity centre redevelopment project on Fargate in the city centre has been delayed until 2027 for completion and opening due to changes in the permanent power supply connection solution. The project has a budget of £14.4 million, with Willmott Dixon responsible for construction, and was originally scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026. The city council is in discussions with local distribution network operator Northern Powergrid and specialist utility contractors regarding alternative power supply solutions, and is reassessing the implementation arrangements for the related works.

Event Central is located at 20–26 Fargate, with the existing building previously used for retail purposes. The renovation works include structural strengthening, facade adjustments, the addition of an atrium between the ground floor and first floor, as well as interior mechanical and electrical installations and functional space fit-out. Upon completion, the ground floor will feature a live performance space with a capacity of 200 people and a café bar, while the four floors above will be used for co-working, meetings and other cultural activities. The city council has selected Creative Arts Development Space as the project operator.

In August 2025, Willmott Dixon was selected to undertake the renovation works for the project, with on-site construction planned to commence at the end of that month. According to the construction schedule confirmed at that time, the building renovation was expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. The project is funded by public funding support from the UK Government and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, among others, with Sheffield City Council responsible for commissioning and implementation management.

The power supply connection issue arose after the construction contract was awarded. The city council confirmed that an accepted electricity connection solution was in place at the time of contract signing, but the original arrangements subsequently changed, requiring a separate permanent power supply connection to be determined. Industry reports indicate that the power supply was disconnected after the existing on-site connection was deemed to pose safety issues. Northern Powergrid and specialist contractors are investigating alternative solutions, with the work also involving the grid capacity requirements for subsequent development projects in the Fargate area.

According to the arrangements published by the city council, some trial excavations are planned to begin on site in October 2026 to determine feasible underground utility connection routes. The city council will continue to obtain detailed technical solutions, engineering costs and implementation timelines, and will assess the corresponding contract and construction organisation arrangements, with plans to seek further decision recommendations by the end of 2026. The final cost and specific construction timeline for the alternative solution have not yet been determined.