Labour Councillors have announced plans at todays Council meeting, to work with local residents to explore applying for listing of the historic Rose Garden Café in Graves Park. The building was closed by officers in July 28th due to safety reasons.

Labour Councillor Janet Ridler, Sheffield City Council Heritage Champion said

‘As the council’s Heritage Champion, I welcome the petition which has come before us today as I recognise the importance of the Rose Garden café to its local community and to Sheffield, both in terms of its history and heritage, and also as an important café facility serving the thousands of people who regularly use Graves Park.

‘The Rose Garden Café is an iconic heritage building which holds a special place in the hearts of local people. Having grown up myself in Norton, the café – or pavilion as I still think of it – holds many personal memories for me too. The petition brought before us today shows the passion and determination of local people to restore and protect the building.

‘I would like to meet with the Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign Group and others so that we can work together to put in an application to Historic England to grant listed building status to the Rose Garden café, if this is what local residents want.

‘If successful, this will validate the building’s importance as a heritage asset and will support us in protecting the building, and such a listing would open up opportunities for external funding, which would clearly be needed, and I am grateful to have the support of my colleagues and local groups in putting forward this course of action.’

‘The Rose Garden café is an important and unique heritage building in Sheffield, and as such I am determined to do all I can to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.’