Traders tell of fears over new city stores

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said traders in the Hillsborough area of the city were worried about the impact new supermarkets at Chaucer Road, Claywheels Lane and Savile Street, and a retail park at Wadsley Bridge, all within three miles of their businesses

Andrew Flower, the FSB’s South Yorkshire chairman, said: “In their long history of service to the local community, Hillsborough’s shopkeepers have encountered many setbacks.

“These include wartime bombing in 1940, year-long road closures in 1993 due to the construction of Supertram, the flooding of 2007 and traffic congestion and lack of parking spaces.

“But now Hillsborough’s traders face new challenges in the face of the opening of three new supermarkets and a major retail park.

“On top of this, changing shopping patterns, an ageing population, the recession, worsening traffic and crime and are all having an impact on Hillsborough’s shopping tradition.

“It is vital people in the area do something now if Hillsborough is to maintain its time-honoured status as the shopping hub of north Sheffield.”

Elaine Feeney, the Sheffield Council’s north Sheffield regeneration team project officer, added: “We would like to meet with local traders – and anyone else with an interest in working collectively towards improving trade within the centre. We need to work together to compile a plan of action to revive trade and bring a smile to the face of Hillsborough.”

The meeting will take place at 5.30pm on Tuesday May 24 at the offices of Hillsborough Forum at 9 Proctor Place.

Anyone interested in attending the meeting should contact Elaine Feeney at the North Sheffield Regeneration Team on 0114 203 9568.