Vision outlined for new city centre food hall

Cambridge Street Collective, which is currently under construction on the corner between Cambridge Street and Wellington Street in Sheffield city centre, will be run by the company behind some of Sheffield’s favourite food venues.

Blend – founded by Matt Bigland and managed with his wife and business partner Nina Patel Bigland – also runs Cutlery Works in Kelham Island.

As Sheffield’s first celebrated food hall, Cutlery Works is currently the largest independent food hall for the North of England. Featuring 14 vendors over two floors, the 15,000 sq ft Rutland Cutlery Works building has become a hive for food and drink lovers in the city and has played a significant role in driving the regeneration of Kelham Island and neighbouring Neepsend.

Heading into its next venture, Blend is gearing up to begin the fit-out of Sheffield’s next big food hall, a food destination at the centre of the transformative Heart of the City development programme – led by Sheffield City Council and strategic development partner Queensberry.

The venue will feature some of the best independent food and drink companies the city has to offer, along with a theatrical cookery school with a seating area for live demonstrations and masterclasses.

Matt Bigland said: “Cambridge Street Collective will be a 27,000 sq ft food hall set over three floors, encompassing over 24 kitchens, cookery school, bakery, and a mix of traditional, Asian and rooftop bars.

“This venture will reinvigorate the city centre. With Cutlery Works, we found a niche in the market that allowed traders to test products and lean on bigger footfalls without taking a traditional 15-year lease and having to put their life savings on the line.

“It took time to curate the perfect selection of Kitchens. We needed to build trust with different communities and explain that we wanted their traditional, authentic cooking. We’ve never wanted bland or deep-fried food, we always wanted granny’s best recipes.”

Sean McClean, director of regeneration and development at Sheffield City Council, said: “Heart of the City is making fantastic progress and we’re moving towards the business end of the construction programme. Visitors to the city centre can now see the significant mix of quality new buildings and diverse offers all coming together at pace.

“Sitting so close to Pound’s Park, which has been a hugely popular addition, Cambridge Street Collective will bring something fresh and exciting to Sheffield’s food and drink scene and provide a new hub of activity for the city centre – one that not only provides more customer choice, but can also help all new and existing businesses thrive as well.”

Alex Hyams, senior asset and leasing manager, at Queensberry, added: “Cambridge Street Collective will bring a critical mass of footfall back into Sheffield City Centre.

“With the expertise of Blend Family and a truly stunning venue built on Sheffield’s heritage, it will become a diverse and inspiring destination for socialising and relaxing with families and friends. It will be a place where people can interact, relax, share experiences, chat, eat and drink, all while supporting opportunities for the best local talent to experiment and grow.”

With fit out due to begin in July, Cambridge Street Collective is expected to open to the public in Autumn 2023.