Multi-million-pound Sheffield masterplan moves forward

Plans for the next phase of a multi-million-pound retail scheme in Sheffield are to be discussed by Sheffield Council this week.

The council is calling the development ‘Heart of the City Phase 2’, linking it with the previous regeneration projects that brought the Winter Garden, Millennium Gallery, Peace Gardens and the offices, restaurants and shops of St Paul’s Place.

In a scrutiny report ahead of a meeting taking place on Thursday, the council states:  “The genuine focus on mixed-use means we have started to call the scheme Phase 2 of Heart of the City. The change in working title reflects the evolution of the project over the last three years.

“While retail remains a central element, we recognise that so much more is required to create a truly sustainable new quarter in the heart of Sheffield. Industrial and commercial trends show us that city centre retail works best when it is part of a truly mixed-use offer encompassing strong leisure and cultural elements that foster and celebrate a strong and unique sense of place.

“This ethos chimes with the aspirations of the people of Sheffield, who have told us during the past two years of consultation and engagement that they want a dynamic and versatile city centre, but one that is rooted in the city’s unique character and offers opportunity for all sorts of activity.”

The Sheffield Retail Quarter, Heart of the City Phase 2, is a major redevelopment. In 2013, the council parted company with its then development partner, Hammerson, who were unable to take forward the development.

Since then the council has entered into contract with Queensberry Real Estate to assist with delivering the scheme. In July 2016, the Cabinet agreed to the first phase of the scheme given the pre-letting of office space to HSBC.

The subsequent office delivery, which is now progressing on site, will deliver 56,000 sq.ft. of new retail space as part of the first phase. This retail space will include eight new retail units.

The council added: “Creating an exciting and compelling retail offer is at the heart of the proposals. Acting as a hub for the existing and developing retail provision on Fargate, The Moor and Division Street the scheme is to deliver modern stores to attract new retailers to the city and allowing others to expand.

“The proposals will significantly extend and complement the city retail offer. Different streets will have different characteristics to maximise appeal and the proposals are to include the introduction of some premium brands and new brands to Sheffield. As the “retail hub”, the scheme also should draw on the retail space opportunities presented by schemes outside of the development site, e.g. The Moor and Pinstone Street so that the overall city offer is complimentary.

“The role of digital infrastructure and the internet are to fully utilised creating a physical retail development “from the internet up”. This is not just an exaggeration. We have a genuine opportunity to create, through this development, a city centre wired for the 21st century. The tenant mix will aim to optimise the spend available from the catchment population while delivering on current gaps in clothing/fashion, health& beauty and catering and closing the gap for higher end aspirational retailing.”

Of the first phase of the development, the council said: “The Sheffield Retail Quarter is now on site and being delivered at pace after many years of delay. The first phase comprises a landmark office building including new retail space. The remainder of the scheme follows closely behind and is being shaped through a revision to the master plan presented in the summer of 2015 and taken to the Planning Committee in 2016.

“The project is a major city centre redevelopment and at this stage, the City Council is the developer having acquired the land ownership of the site. The report provides a status update and describes the outline timescale for the remaining delivery of the scheme. The Committee are invited to review matters and provide views, comments and challenge given the nature of this project.

“This scheme provides the opportunity for a transformational retail based mixed use development that gives residents, workers and visitors a quality experience that is distinctively of Sheffield and is the hub linking the existing retail, cultural, leisure and employment offers.”

The final delivery strategy and masterplan will be presented in the new year.