A dispute has emerged over who should help run Sheffield’s council-owned Vestry Hall in Burngreave, after residents’ group ACORN campaigned for volunteers to take on some management responsibilities. Supporters say the £3 million refurbishment has left a valuable community building underused, while opponents argue it is already regularly booked and that volunteer control could reduce fair access.

Mohamed Ali, an ACORN-backed campaigner, says the group has submitted a detailed proposal and gained strong local support, but claims the council has been unreceptive. Mohammed Issa, whose care company occupies the top floor, rejects the campaign’s claims and submitted a petition with 185 signatures, accusing ACORN of being driven by outside interests and insisting the council should continue running the hall.