A new retail hub and arts space, inspired by Afflecks Palace in Manchester, is set to come to Sheffield in April.
Arundel Emporium on Matilda St will be an indoor market which provides a space for local businesses, a communal seating area and a stage, with organisers also planning on opening a café in the near future.
Raye Osterloh, spokesperson for Arundel Emporium, said: “Our hope is that by gathering an array of arts related businesses and projects into one building it will facilitate creative connections that wouldn’t have come about otherwise. We also plan to use our space to platform local creatives of all kinds, giving them opportunities to display their work.
One of the main inspirations for the hub was the Afflecks Palace indoor market in Manchester which hosts various independent stalls, small shops and boutiques.
Mr Osterloh added: “Once we are up and running we hope to host art and photography galleries, pop up shops, poetry, musical performances, art workshops and other things of that nature. All artists deserve to be seen and heard, and we just want to facilitate that opportunity for them.”
Organisers are currently trying to secure vendors and volunteer muralists, but aim to collaborate with artists to get their works and performances on display once they are open for business.
Mr Osterloh added: “We believe the thing that sets us apart from other markets is our drive to support Sheffield’s creative scene and local community. We want Arundel Emporium to be a place for anyone to come and enjoy immersing themselves in the Sheffield arts scene for the day.
“We really wanted to create a space to uplift local artists and creative businesses in Sheffield, as well as acting as a third space for community members to gather, socialize, shop, study, create, and relax.”
After renovations there are plans to have a community painting event to allow voluntary muralists to come in and fill the space with art, which will include a pre-outlined mural for community members of all skill levels so they can contribute too.
Organisers said they are feeling hopeful renovations will be finished and the building ready to open in time for April.
People interested in getting involved with Arundel Emporium can contact them over email at ArundelEmporiumSheffield@gmail.com.