The Rose Garden Café Partnership
Who are we?
The Rose Garden Café Partnership is made up of representatives from the Friends of Graves Park, Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign, Sheffield City Council and Chris Hallam is our independent chair.
Photo of the Rose Garden Café Partnership stood outside the café and the partner logos.
Why is there a Rose Garden Café Partnership?
Following a 15-month campaign by local people to save the Rose Garden Café after it was closed in 2022 on safety grounds, the council proposed to work in partnership with the community to restore and refurbish the café. The role ofContinue reading
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Public Consultation Results
We are excited to share the results of the recent public consultation on the Rose Garden Café restoration and refurbishment. We recieved1557 responses to the survey, via online and paper submissions from 41 of the 45 Sheffield (S) postcodes. These range from the Stockbridge Valley in the north to the Dronfield Valley in the south, out into neighbouring Derbyshire in the west and Nottinghamshire in the east
Click here to see the wonderful infographic created by Partnership member Liz Hnat
The questions were grouped into a number of themes – the headlines of which are shared below:
Visiting the Park
- Over half of the respondents visit the park at least once a week, with more than 25% visiting either daily or several times a week. This feedback is therefore grounded in the views of those who use the park the most.
- The most common answers to “Who do you visit the park with?” were “Family” then “Friends” with the third most popular answer being “Alone”, showing that our park is a space for all to enjoy.
- “Visiting the Rose Garden Café” itself was the second most popular reason for visiting Graves Park, next to simply walking through our wonderful space (often with a dog!).
Restoration Priorities
- The highest number of responses were for the Heritage and Identity of the Café to be respected, notably the exterior look and the clock tower being restored.
- The next priority given by the consultation is to ensure the inside of the Café is an adaptable space, maximising the possible community uses.
- Accessibility and Sustainability featured next highest on the priority list, asking us to ensure that the space is used by as wider range of people as possible, and that the café makes full use of energy efficient and low waste / maintenance technologies.
Facilities Priorities
- The ability for the space to be used by community groups was ranked number one on the priorities in the consultation.
- The provision of an indoor play / flexible space for young children within the café ranked the second highest on the wish list.
- The third highest position was taken by the need to refurbish the current toilet blocks
In addition to these headlines we have had lots of great individual contributions , notably around improving the kitchen and the outdoor seating areas, all of which will now be taken into the design process. We will be working alongside local professionals and subject matter experts to create a brief that will see the Rose Garden Café restored, rejuvenated and reborn.
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Ground Investigations Undertaken
The additional ground investigations have now been undertaken to understand the building foundations. The results of the investigations will enable the specialist structural engineer from Alan Wood & Partners to complete her proposed solutions for the front wall.
Photos of ground investigations being undertaken.
End of Year Statement from our Independent Chair 2025
“I would like to extend enormous thanks to every single person who has donated so far to our campaign, it really does have an influence. Once again, the people of the city have shown how proud they are of our heritage and how much they are prepared to support this cause.”
“The Partnership has had an extremely busy and productive year in 2025. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a willing and capable group of volunteers and professionals that make up our group.”
“Whether this be in terms of Grant applications, expertly martialled by Caroline Dewar, fundraising under the creative eyes of Liz Hnat and Andy Kershaw and our wider fundraising team, events in the park generously supported by Catherine Mcdougall and Simon Ross, the huge support of Julie Collins and her team at Dukes, the heritage walks led by David Hartlebury, the operation and maintenance of the café today led by Nathan Rodgers or the design of the restored Café itself led by Rebecca Nixon, Chris Hill and Alan Nock we have in each group a mixture of partnership members, professionals and other committed volunteers. It really does show what can be achieved when people work towards a common cause.”
“Next year will see us look to get planning approval as we corral the funds to get started on the building work! Personally, I can’t wait to see what we can achieve!"
Chris Hallam - Save the Rose Garden Cafe Partnership Independent Chair
Who's Listening
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Friends of Graves Park, Save the Rose Garden Café Campaign, Sheffield City Council and Chris Hallam, independent chair
Latest Architectural Plans for the Rose Garden Cafe
Public Consultation Results Infographic
Photos
Ideas Consultation Boards designed by Newfield School
Young people from Newfield School created designs and questions for the restoration and future use of the Rose Garden Café, which were shared via ideas boards in the café. The public were able to share ideas and answers to the questions on the boards. The boards were documented daily and feedback will be collated to compliment the survey responses.
Photos of students designing boards and finished boards in café.