Sheffield City Council Issues Prohibition Notice for Hillsborough Stadium North Stand
Sheffield City Council has issued a formal prohibition notice preventing the use of the North Stand at Hillsborough Stadium, home to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, following safety concerns identified by the local Safety Advisory Group.
Sheffield City Council has issued a formal prohibition notice preventing the use of the North Stand at Hillsborough Stadium, home to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, following safety concerns identified by the local Safety Advisory Group.
The prohibition notice, issued on 29 July 2025, reduced the North Stand's capacity to zero, effectively barring spectators from accessing the facility until structural integrity concerns are adequately addressed.
Safety Concerns Prompt Immediate Action
The council stated that assurances around the structural integrity of the North Stand have not been provided by Sheffield Wednesday Football Club. The decision follows comprehensive safety assessments that revealed multiple concerning issues within the stand's infrastructure.
Investigations had observed corrosion in trusses supporting the roof of the stand, as well as insecure electrical wiring and cracks in the terracing itself. These structural deficiencies posed significant safety risks to spectators and required immediate intervention by the certifying authority.
Regulatory Framework and Council Authority
As the body responsible for issuing the general safety certificate for Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield City Council exercises statutory authority under sports ground safety legislation. A prohibition notice is a formal enforcement measure that prevents use of specified areas until remedial works are completed to the satisfaction of the local authority.
The Safety Advisory Group, comprising representatives from various emergency services and local authorities, plays a crucial role in evaluating stadium safety conditions and making recommendations to the certifying authority.
Sheffield City Council
Rejected Safety Assessment
In 2025, a secondary structural report was commissioned from a company in Bangkok. Available evidence suggests that this company did not visit Hillsborough, nor did it conduct an independent assessment of the stand's condition. The report was subsequently rejected by SAG for not meeting assessment standards.
Club Response and Remedial Actions
Following the prohibition notice, Sheffield Wednesday announced its commitment to addressing the identified safety concerns. Sheffield Wednesday assured fans it is working with professional advisors and contractors to ensure Hillsborough's North Stand can safely operate for future fixtures.
The club stated: "We continue to work with our professional advisors and contractors to ensure the North Stand can safely operate" as they work toward compliance with safety requirements.
Recent Development
Sheffield Wednesday announced that Sheffield City Council has lifted the Prohibition Notice previously in place for the North Stand at Hillsborough. This outcome follows constructive cooperation between the Club and the Council, indicating successful completion of required safety works.
The resolution of safety concerns demonstrates the effectiveness of the regulatory framework in ensuring spectator protection while allowing sporting venues to resume normal operations once compliance is achieved.
Regulatory Context
This enforcement action reflects the stringent safety standards applied to all sports grounds under council jurisdiction. The certifying authority maintains responsibility for ensuring venues meet comprehensive safety requirements before issuing or renewing general safety certificates.
The case highlights the critical importance of maintaining structural integrity and safety systems at sports venues, where large congregations of spectators depend on robust safety measures and regulatory oversight.
