Two years ago, a citywide strategy was approved by Sheffield City Council to help support and promote local shopping centres. This project is being paid for by the Local Growth Fund, which comprises of money given to Sheffield Council to be used for projects that benefit the local area and the community. Darnall shopping centre was identified as having an unwelcoming environment, with some buildings in a poor state of repair and a high number of badly-maintained, empty shops.
Image Sign Studio shop sign makers in Sheffield have recently been involved in a project helping to revamp the rundown shop fronts of 47 independent shops in Darnall, a suburb in the East of the city of Sheffield. The project started at the end of March this year, in an attempt to smarten up the area, boost the amount of shoppers using the stores, and attract investment.
Shop Front Makeover for Darnall
As shop sign makers in Sheffield, Image Sign Studio know the dramatic effect a new shop sign can have on the exterior of a retail premises, and were more than happy to be involved in the Darnall revamp. They were delighted to be involved in the £300,000 refurbishment project, which saw the shops on Main Road and Staniforth Road receiving impressive makeovers, including new retail shop signs which have been designed, manufactured and installed by them.
Sheffield City Council to Help and Support Regeneration
As well as the renovation of shop fronts with new shop signs, the wider regeneration framework for the centre of Darnall includes general improvements to the street scene to make the area cleaner and safer. In addition, training and support will be given to traders, and housing development will be enabled on nearby vacant sites.
Sheffield Council cabinet member for homes and neighbourhoods Councellor Harry Harpham said before the start of the project in March: “Darnall has all the ingredients to be a thriving and successful district shopping centre – a strong community, good range of shops and community facilities, and access to transport links. But the quality of the shopping is poor in relation to a centre that serves such a wide residential area and many shops are in a poor state of repair. This will help the area become more attractive to shoppers and boost the centre’s potential.”