Sheffield City Council have agreed to launch an action plan in order to save the future of the beloved Rose Garden Cafe in Graves Park.
An ‘extraordinary’ Charity Trustee Sub-Committee meeting held on Wednesday determined a ‘partnership approach’ which was necessary to secure the future of the café .
Councillor Ian Auckland, representing the Graves Park Ward and Chair of the Charity Trustee Sub-committee said: “So long as that partnership works to restore the building, we can forget about anything else like demolition or building another café that doesn’t look like the existing one.”
The meeting marked 15 months since the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee had last made long-term proposals in October 2022.
Since then, a feasibility study has been commissioned to understand the condition of the existing building, the level of repair and refurbishment works required and the options for the café building.
The Council’s latest report establishes that plans to explore the new build or demolition option have been ‘paused’, and that the remaining viable option is a full or partial restoration of the existing building.
Coun Auckland said: “Personally I’m delighted, because one, I represent Graves Park Ward.
“And two, I’ve spent a long time saying (since the park is a charity), there has to be special consideration over the fact the council doesn’t just own it.”
The café, recently added to the South Yorkshire heritage list, holds a special place in the hearts of many residents in Graves Park.
Coun Auckland said: “What the report recognises is people’s emotional attachment to that building.
“I’ve lived here for 38 years, and I think it’s the iconic landmark, the beating heart of Graves Park.”
