Caterers don't want canal basin

FOR the past 15 years Sheffield City Council have been trying to get caterers for the canal basin in the city without success.

Situated at the terminus of the Sheffield & South Yorkshire Navigation, caterers quickly see that with a dual carriageway preventing access to the basin and little parking, business would be very limited indeed, so none have taken up the offer.

Remained empty

Though a great deal of money was spent on opening the basin and renovating the old warehouses, both the former terminal and grain warehouses near Park Square roundabout have remained empty, despite extensive marketing as a restaurant or bar.

Property agents say food and drink operators are deterred by a location too far from leisure circuits, a lack of convenient parking and traffic on Exchange Street being too much of a barrier.

Nothing for visitors

The council wanted to make the basin 'more vibrant and attractive', but it still remains the gloomy, with little activity and nothing for visitors.

The council have now given up on the idea of facilities and are considering turning the empty ground floor into offices.