An appeal for £2.6 million has been launched to redevelop a much-loved cafe in Graves Park, Sheffield, following its sudden closure in 2022.

The Rose Garden Cafe, which reopened following an independent structural assessment in August 2024, was initially deemed unsafe by Sheffield City Council due to concerns over the integrity of the roof.

If successful, a significant portion of the funding will come from the partnership’s bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Independent chair of the partnership, Chris Hallam, said: “I am confident that we have a very well thought through bid.

“But we’re not just assuming that’s the only thing we can go for, we’re looking at other funders too.”

An expression of interest was submitted in February 2025, which if successful, will give clearance to progress with a full bid.

Initial plans featured the demolition of the building, which was first constructed in 1927, but a 15-month-long campaign to find an alternative prevented its destruction.

The redevelopment, which is being led by the Rose Garden Cafe Partnership, would reduce maintenance costs in the long-run and avoid further closures.

Councillor Richard Williams, Chair of the Charity Trustee Sub-Committee involved in the project for Sheffield City Council, said: “I really hope that they are successful in their funding. The committees are fully supportive of what they’re doing.

“I think it has been a tremendous example of various parties coming together to make a difference.”

Community fundraising projects to save the nearly 100-year-old building have included a craft stall and Carols in the Cafe, raising nearly £2,000 for the cause, with upcoming events of face painting and an Easter fundraiser to continue efforts.

Since re-opening, the current cafe operator, Dukes, has donated 10p from every coffee sale made at the venue, with 18,540 hot drinks contributing an additional £1,854 to the fundraising total.

A city-wide, month-long public consultation in 2024 largely shaped the redevelopment plans which the partnership is working to fulfil.

New child and dog-friendly designs include plans for an outdoor, covered seating area, sliding patio doors and restoration of the clock tower, focusing on transforming the redeveloped building into a community asset.