Sheffield ‘must become a destination’ if £480m shopping scheme is to work

Any developer of Sheffield’s New Retail Quarter must ensure the mix of shops and leisure offerings is right, must not overlook the importance of independent retailers and must not create a “soulless, glass-fronted shopping centre”, Richard Wright, executive director of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said.

The New Retail Quarter has been dubbed by Sheffield Council as “crucial” to the regeneration of the city centre and the economic development of Sheffield. This week project managers Turner and Townsend were appointed to the scheme, which grew out of the failure of the Sevenoaks project. It was put on hold in 2008 by developers Hammerson, who were eventually dropped by the council in 2013.

The council hopes to appoint a new developer by the autumn, with work finally starting on the long-awaited project in 2017.

Mr Wright said any proposal would have to stand the test of debate.

“But we have got to get on with it,” he said. “We have to market Sheffield as a destination, and a destination for more than just shopping.

“We have to build things that compliment each other. We need new retail but we need to build on our strengths like the quirky shops and the theatres and museums. The shops on Division Street need more business, and the way to get that new business is to drive more people into the city centre.

“What we don’t want is one of those massive, soulless glass-fronted shopping malls.”

The initial phase of the project, which will encompass the transformation of the area around Barker’s Pool, where the John Lewis store sits, Pinstone Street and Charter Square, is expected to be complete by 2020.

Professor Cathy Barnes, director of the Retail Institute at Leeds Beckett University said the development had the potential to rival large retail centres like Leeds and Manchester - but had to ensure it attracted the right mix.

She said: “A lot will hinge on what happens with John Lewis. It has a halo effect, and if it remains as an anchor in the area it will be key to its success. It’s critical to have a small number of anchor stores, such as John Lewis and Debenhams - but to have a mixture of development.

“Retail these days is not just about shops. They need to get some entertainment and leisure offers as well. People want to have a day out - and not just shop.”

She said there was a “real danger” independent stores in Sheffield could be overlooked or priced out of the New Retail Quarter, and the council should have strategies in place to ensure Sheffield retained its “quirkiness” when it came to shopping.

Sheffield Council recently came under criticism after agreeing to the demolition of a string of independent shops of Devonshire Street to make way for a new development, despite a 20,000 strong petition, mass objections and a protest outside the Town Hall.

The Devonshire Quarter is home to the Forum, a warren of small boutique stores, and other independent shops and bars - but is quietly changing. The planned loss of the shops just up the road, which include book and music shop Rare and Racy, has happened at a time when big chains are moving in. Recently global fast food giant Taco Bell opened a branch on the street, adding to the likes Costa and Subway.

“There needs to be strategies in place to ensure Sheffield retains its quirky character,” Prof Barnes said.

However, more important to the Retail Quarter’s success would be to counter the threat of online shopping by ensuring they had a strategy to bridge the two, Prof Barnes said.

She added: “They must plan in a click and collect offer, make sure the site has WiFi that is accessible inside shops and have a good website. You cannot think because it is a real site that digital can be neglected.”