Shopper statistics paint positive picture in struggling Sheffield centre

Sheffield Council said yesterday that the city was “bucking the national trend” by increasing footfall in the city centre by 0.5 per cent, while other major cities on average saw a fall of 1.1 per cent.

Statistics compiled by the council for January this year show the increase, and were welcomed by leading councillors as a sign that the city may be showing signs of recovery.

Council leader Julie Dore said: “This is one of a number of recent encouraging signs that Sheffield is faring better than average on a national scale.

“We know that times have been tough, and we will never be complacent about the challenges we still face taking the city forward, but there is much to be optimistic about here.”

Council officers have struggled over the last few years after plans for the so-called Sevenstone retail project foundered in 2008 as a result of the economic downturn.

Developers Hammerson initially said they could not go ahead with the £600m scheme until economic conditions improved, but last year a scaled-down plan was agreed with authority bosses.

No dates for work to start have been announced, and John Lewis, which was set to build a new store as part of the city centre scheme, has now backed away from the plan - which will not be complete until at least 2015.

Coun Dore said in the meantime, Sheffield had to continue to improve its offer, and added that its survey also showed an improvement in shoppers perceptions of Sheffield as a destination.

According to the figures, people are more satisfied with safety in the city and also feel that it is cleaner and better managed that it was 12 months ago.

Council officers believe emphasis on holding events in the city centre has helped drive the increase in visitors and said 2001 had seen one of the “strongest event calendars” in years.

Coun Dore said: “The city centre calendar shows the value key events play in driving footfall, and just how vital they are.

“As an example, both the Food Festival and Tramlines took place in July 2011 which gave a combined 43.2 per cent increase over their respective weekends compared to 2010.

“We are doing everything we can to provide the right environment to stimulate our city’s economy.

“Business is firmly on our agenda and we want to boost jobs and growth for the people of Sheffield. Increasing footfall is one thing but in 2012 we will also see significant developments like the new market on the Moor that will help to boost the city’s retail offering.”

The council also announced yesterday that the final legal agreements had been signed for the city’s new markets development on The Moor, which has also been dogged by delays and economic troubles.

Coun Bryan Lodge the authority’s finance spokesman said “long-awaited” paperwork had now been signed by its commercial partners, Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Property Trust.

He added: “The traders and the Sheffield public have seen many disappointments in plans for providing a new market, but we are now really in sight of the building work starting.

“We thank them for their patience and look forward to working with them to prepare for moving to this great new location.”

Ranald Phillips, a director of Ashcroft, SWIPPT’s appointed asset and development managers added: “This is a notable milestone in implementing the first phase of redeveloping The Moor. We recognise that there have been a few false dawns in previous years, but SWIPPT are committed to a rolling programme of regeneration.

“We now look forward to continuing a good working relationship with the council in delivering the developments Sheffield needs to improve its retail core.“