Dragonfall

Blimey, can't you use a map?

The only Leeds/Sheffield rivalry, should be on the football field. Unlike ECCOn*b’s constant slating of Leeds – it would be more productive to see how they’ve brought their developments to successful conclusion, and maintained momentum through a recession - and learn from it.

So, Hammerson's are well-ahead with the Victoria Gate mall in Leeds - due to open next year, with a shiny new John Lewis at the heart of it - http://www.victoriagate.co.uk

If you believe some sources, the run-down state of Sheffield city centre, was mainly intentional. SCC has been (in the main) in the hands of Labour, who’s votership is mainly from lower-class/working class/immigrant areas. You only have to look at the city centre, with its numerous betting-shops, pound shops, bargain-booze off-licences, cash-for-gold & money-lending stores – to get an idea of the kind of market it’s aiming for. SCC have spurned investment from big-name companies, turned-down developments, prevented new buildings being built and blocked the preservation & restoration of others – all the while pursuing their own pet projects & agendas. On the UK stage (in business terms) there’s a big black cloud over Sheffield, which indicates that the city is not business-friendly. And if you are wishing to invest in the city – expect a lengthy, drawn out battle (Next, BMW, IKEA and numerous other stilted projects). SCC’s also proved how ineffective it is, by letting Hammerson’s completely goose them over the Sevenstone project – nothing written into the contracts about time limits, or failure to deliver. To continually blame Meadowhall, after 30 years of existence (or other out-of-town retail developments) – or the Recession, is just clutching at straws, when similar former industrial cities of similar size, have been successful with their city centre regeneration projects. Recent articles in The Star have noted that the Business community knows there is spending power within the city limits of Sheffield – however they note that, that wealth is being spent in neighbouring cities.

Are they finally twigging on? Council chiefs will discuss the next steps in providing a ‘high class’ shopping and leisure facility between Pinstone Street, Moorhead and Barkers Pool, to rival other cities, next week. Most of the trade from Sheffield city centre is being lost to Leeds, Nottingham and Manchester as shoppers seek out big name brands, behind-the-scenes analysis has shown. Coun Leigh Bramall, Sheffield Council’s cabinet member for business, said: “There’s a whole list of shops that are missing in South Yorkshire, not necessarily as prestigious as Harvey Nichols, but the aspirational fashion brands which other cities have. “We want that spend returning to Sheffield.” http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/90m-spree-at-the-shops-1-6733301

How many parties are you referring to? Labour have been in charge for 80% of the time, over the last 30 years - which certainly covers the length of time that Sevenstone has been in the pipeline.

It seems that, the supporters of the council will do anything but blame SCC for the failure for, one of the largest cities in England, ending up as the only one without a modern retail facility in its city centre. Blame recession, blame the Government, blame Hammersons, blame the demographic, blame 'Sheffield not being like other cities'. The truth is, while the other major cities were pushing through their redevelopments in the early 2000's (Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Liverpool etc) - the numpties at the Town Hall were kicking their heels, and had no vision, motivation, or ability, to get things off the ground. Look at the fiascos SCC has caused with IKEA & Next, and the demise of the Airport & DVS - and ask yourself if you have confidence that SCC knows anything about business, or what's best for the City.

That hits the nail on the head - Sheffield City Council's historical & continual anti-business stance, has had the effect of turning away private companies who had realistic projects for consideration - many of whom, invested elsewhere, as a result. Over the last 10/20yrs, SCC has scuppered many potential developments & investments in the city. But as for your observation about jumping subjects, it is all linked - applying an overall strategy & vision for the city centre, is what SCC should have in hand. To date, 'joined-up thinking' has not been their forte.

Fair point, and I imagine that will be SCC's solution, to sell of bits of land piece-meal, for individual developments. But SCC does have ongoing relations with Scottish Widows - and these have proved fruitful. As well as the relocated Markets - by 2015, The Moor will have a cinema, cafes/restaurants, a flagship store, several other mid-range stores, plus renovated buildings the length of the street. Get the right developer, get the strategy right, get the contracts right and things can go well. SCC have shown poor ability & business sense over many years - but working alongside Scottish Widows, they seem to've actually achieved something. The question remains though - if The Moor is evolving as the new retail heart of Sheffield, what strategy does SCC have for the area from High Street down to the old Markets - residential, offices, leisure?

What a complete farce, from beginning to end - Sevenstone was first conceived in 2000 (the same time as the Trinity Centre in Leeds) - so it's been 13 years of fannying about, with not a single brick laid. Can't see many people having much faith in Sheffield City Council getting an alternative sorted anytime soon, with the incompetence they've demonstrated over the last 10 - 20 years. At least, it's good to see Scottish Widows getting things sorted around The Moor - maybe they can sort the rest of the city centre out?

Sheffield City Centre - How Would You change It? - encourage developers like Scottish Widows to continue further redevelopments - attempt to re-purchase the large derelict areas laid-waste for 'Sevenstone' - encourage a new developer to takeover the redevelopment of these derelict sites - if no retail developer forthcoming: build new flats/housing, or turn into urban parks - convert existing empty retail/office blocks into residential accommodation - aim for a higher standard of retail, instead of focusing on budget/low-end - look at other cities, and how their successful redevelopments have been done - free parking for evenings and Sundays - reduce rates to encourage the uptake of unoccupied units - seriously tackle the litter problem - tackle the problem of chavs, alcoholics & other n'er-do-wells taking over certain areas - resurface some of the terrible/pot-holed roads - generally, encourage SCC to move away from it's anti-business/anti-car stance & low aspirations

What direct questions do propose to ask of SCC, specifically?

Does it matter how many appeals are won or lost? All you need to do is look around Sheffield city centre, and see the dereliction, closed businesses & the general run-down appearance - far more than any other UK cities of this size. It's self-evident, to anybody who's visited other cities, that we've been poorly-served by SCC in terms of vision, leadership, & simply getting the job done. The Moor development is encouraging, but it's mainly moving existing businesses from one part of town, to another - not necessarily increasing the amount of retail available.

"... speaking after the announcement, Lord Wolfson said: “Sheffield City Council should stop wasting its time trying to prevent investment in the city and instead focus on revitalising the city centre. The commercial heartland of the city continues to fall further and further behind the other great industrial cities of Britain ..." http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/next-retail-row-boss-to-speak-in-sheffield-1-5931955

"... speaking after the announcement, Lord Wolfson said: “Sheffield City Council should stop wasting its time trying to prevent investment in the city and instead focus on revitalising the city centre. The commercial heartland of the city continues to fall further and further behind the other great industrial cities of Britain ..." http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/business/next-retail-row-boss-to-speak-in-sheffield-1-5931955