Wiley and Co facade in Sheffield to be removed over safety fears

Urgent work has started to "remove and preserve" an ornate facade "at risk of collapsing" in Sheffield city centre.

An assessment of the surviving frontage of the former Wiley & Co building, on Haymarket, showed it posed a danger to the public without intervention, according to Sheffield City Council.

The Tudor-inspired facade, which includes a bell tower, is all that remains of a former wine merchant's shop, after the structure behind it was removed several years ago.

The council's deputy leader, Ben Miskell, said it had "no option but to act".

A detailed survey has been carried out in preparation for the structure – which is covered in scaffolding – to be safely dismantled. Vegetation behind the facade has been removed and safe working platforms put up.

The council said it would try to preserve as much of the facade as possible in order to allow the potential for future use when the site is redeveloped.

Miskell said the authority had "attempted to work with the building's owner to make the structure safe", but "that hasn't been possible".

"Throughout the process, we have been keeping representatives of the heritage organisations informed and we are very much aware of the importance of the facade and have kept this in mind every step of the way," he added.

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