Sheffield City Council has described delays to a £14.4m Willmott Dixon music venue and workspace project as “hugely disappointing”.
The South Yorkshire local authority said it was working to find a solution after the power supply to the site was disconnected, but that the Event Central complex is now not expected to open until 2027.
Willmott Dixon announced in August 2025 that it had been selected to transform a former retail building in Fargate to create a 200-person event space below four floors of co-working and meeting facilities.
Work was originally expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Sheffield councillor Alexi Dimond, chair of the city’s transport, regeneration and climate committee, said last week: “This delay is hugely disappointing for both the council and people and organisations looking forward to using Event Central.
“The project had an accepted electricity connection when the construction contract was awarded. Since that position changed, our teams have been working with Northern Powergrid and specialist contractors to find the safest and most practical alternative.
“Our priority is to secure the permanent power the building needs while limiting any impact to Fargate and protecting the investment already made in the area. We will provide a further update once the technical plans, costs and timetable are clearer.”
The council said a report would be presented when there was “enough certainty to make a final recommendation”.
“It is hoped that this will be by the end of the year,” it added.
A Northern Powergrid spokesperson said: “The electricity supply to Event Central was disconnected as a precaution after an unsafe connection was identified.
“The safety of everyone on site and the wider public is our absolute priority. The permanent connection remains planned, and we are working closely with the local authority to deliver it.
“We are also working with our partners to explore alternative options for restoring power safely in the meantime.”
Event Central is funded through support from the government and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
As well as live gigs, the completed venue is expected to host a programme of community events, showcases, exhibitions, workshops and talks.
Willmott Dixon said last year that the scheme included substantial structural alterations to create a new atrium spanning from ground to first floor; comprehensive strengthening works to accommodate revised loading; reimagining of the facade; and fit-out of all floors.
A Willmott Dixon spokesperson said: “This is an intricate city centre refurbishment, on a constrained site, and like with so many similar projects of this type, when you get into the structure, it can then require additional work that provides a suitable long-term solution to enable the venue to be fit for its new purpose, on this occasion as an entertainment venue.
“Providing this robust alternative permanent power connection for the building will do just that, although because of this additional work, it will mean completion and opening is now expected in 2027.”
