Recent reports claim that the new and long awaited Sheffield retail quarter will be finished by 2021, including 50 new shops, 120 flats, and up to 2,300 car parking spaces. The scheme is set to cost a huge £480 million, but is estimated to create up to 2,500 new jobs in the area.

The director of capital and major projects Nalin Seneviratne said: “2019 is when the bulk of the scheme is going to be completed, the final parts by Easter 2010, it might even be by 2020.” He also commented that the timing was ‘perfect’ because it was post recession and the retail industry had changed.

Failed Sevenstone Scheme Replaced with New Plans

The designs will replace the failed Sevenstone scheme between Pinstone Street, Moorhead and Barker’s Pool, and residents have been urged to put their thoughts across in order to help to ‘shape’ the project before the outline plans are finalised. Councillor Leigh Bramall, cabinet member for business, said: “This is the chance for people to play a major part of what the city will look like in the next 20, 30, 40 and 50 years.”

Sheffield Residents Voice Scepticism

However, as we’ve mentioned before in previous blog posts, Sheffield residents seem to be incredibly dubious about whether or not the plans will actually be put into fruition, with one comment to the story simply reading ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’. Despite the positivity from Sheffield Council, however, the article in the Sheffield Star reveals that although there has been some interest from developers and retailers, the scheme is yet to confirm an investor.

Local People Contributing to Design

As professional shop sign makers in Sheffield, Image Sign Studio think that it’s an interesting idea to ask the residents of Sheffield to be able to contribute ideas towards the designs. The people of Sheffield really care about this space, and the new plans would mean that the city centre would have an amazing retail space. Plans also include a new cycle hub, facilities for ‘click and collect’ online ordering, and a food court.

Shop Sign Makers in Sheffield

Image Sign Studio are experts in shop signs Sheffield and welcome the new plans to bring more retail outlets to the city centre. Putting Sheffield on the map as a desirable shopping location to rival that of Leeds and Birmingham is a really fantastic idea, and they sincerely hope that the plans and developments are a viable and realistic way to rejuvenate the centre of Sheffield.