Shopping centre set for £300m leisure expansion
A £300M investment in Meadowhall will see it undergo the biggest transformation since it opened in 1990.
The investment will see a major leisure hall built, and developers and joint owners British Land have said the development will create 1,000 jobs, in addition to construction jobs.
Work started on £60m renovations at the biggest shopping centre in Yorkshire, and the eighth in the UK in February.
Now, the 330,000 sq ft proposed leisure hall will add entertainment and dining offerings to the shopping centre as it seeks to become an experience-led destination.
British Land has commenced public consultation on the proposals, which include a cinema to replace the existing one, a gym, and flexible leisure space which could be turned into an indoor golf or ten-pin bowling sites.
Darren Pearce, Meadowhall centre director, said: “This is a very exciting era for Meadowhall. The proposed Leisure Hall is designed to give our shoppers ever more choice and variety.
“We hope that many will share their views and thoughts during the public consultation in June, ahead of the planning application, enabling us to maintain Meadowhall as Yorkshire’s premier shopping and leisure destination.”
Charles Maudsley, head of retail and leisure for British Land, said: “We are continuing to drive Meadowhall’s evolution to ensure it remains an outstanding place for modern consumer lifestyles.
“This significant step change in the scheme’s leisure provision will contribute to Sheffield’s continuation as a driving force behind the Northern Powerhouse. This is a very exciting time and we look forward to working with Sheffield City Council to help ensure Sheffield’s future success.” 
CGI of the new leisure hall
A detailed planning application for the leisure hall will be submitted in late summer 2016.
If approved, British Land will start on site during 2018. The leisure hall will be completed by early 2021.
Meadowhall was built by entrepreneur Eddie Healey in 1990 on derelict land. He sold it in 1999 for £1.17bn to British Land.
As of 2012 it is jointly owned by British Land and Norges Bank Investment Management, the Norwegian government pension fund, which acquired a 50% stake for £348m.
