Sheffield Retail Quarter (ex-"Sevenstone") MEGATHREAD

[Walkley0 Mum 10]

Time to crank up the rumour mill-

Had a coffee in the Costa next to NEXT on Meadowhall way, three men in sharp suits at the next table discussing timetable for John Lewis moving on to the vacant land on Meadowhall Way, or into Meadowhall proper, necessary road improvements, pros and cons etc. During the course of their conversation they implied that the major name in the retail quarter isn't a retailer at all and that talks with major department store type retailers have hit the buffers. I couldn't figure out whether it was a done deal or hypothetical but it'll be interesting to hear the announcements when they eventually emerge.

[smiggs 10]

Time to crank up the rumour mill-

Had a coffee in the Costa next to NEXT on Meadowhall way, three men in sharp suits at the next table discussing timetable for John Lewis moving on to the vacant land on Meadowhall Way, or into Meadowhall proper, necessary road improvements, pros and cons etc. During the course of their conversation they implied that the major name in the retail quarter isn't a retailer at all and that talks with major department store type retailers have hit the buffers. I couldn't figure out whether it was a done deal or hypothetical but it'll be interesting to hear the announcements when they eventually emerge.

 

Just because people are in sharp suits doesn't mean they aren't sprouting the same gossip and speculation as everyone else. But I believe they are referring to HSBC are taking the office space portion of the retail quarter this is going to be built on the site currently occupied by the Grosvenor hence the current rush to demolish it.

 

I can't see John Lewis moving out to Meadowhall, they dominate the city centre but would just be another store out there.

[geared 317]

Maybe they're finding trade difficult in the city centre??

 

Whats the footfall like these days compared to Meadowhall??

[Andy C 86]

It seems something is about to happen with SCC taking back the buildings that have been subject to CPO next year. We'll just have to await announcements.

 

As for Sheffield being anti car this is a tired old nonsense. At local elections over the years prospective councillors have falled over themselves to try and appear car friendly and the ability for public transport operators to run a reliable service through traffic prioroty measure has been eroded and also their patronage has fallen as it has become easier and easier to drive into town.

 

The simple fact is with any significant city, there is no way you can accommodate the number of cars that there would be if every single person drove into the City Centre without making it an unpleasant place. However Sheffield has invested to make it as easy as possible - you follow the inner ring road to the quarter you want to be in then dive into one of the many multi-storey car parks that have been built.

 

As well as the many car parks in the City Centre, we also have park & ride facilities based around the tram network.

 

The areas of the centre where people shop have gradually moved with the various regneration and developments with High Street shopping focused on Fargate, budget shopping focused on the Moor (which is in the middle of rebuilding/upgrading) and independent/specialist shopping focused on the Devonshire Quarter.

 

Changes to bus services next week will go some way to reflect this and more areas of the City will have buses that serve the Moor markets, improving access for those without cars.

 

Meanwhile alongside all the upgrading and redevelopment going on, there are many events going on in the City Centre bringing people in during the day and a buzzing evening with pubs, bars, restaurants, theatres etc.

 

Of course Sheffield is a strange economy - when the University students are on holiday, the population shrinks significantly, which is why events like Tramlines festival is held over the summer to bring people in.

Edited October 26, 2015 by Andy C

[billhaley 10]

As John Lewis will shortly open their Northern Showpiece store up the road at Leeds, I would expect that to put a further dent in the Sheffield store's profits, as it is somewhat dated and dowdy and no longer as competitive as it tries to make out. I wouldn't be too surprised if they moved down Meadowhall way or even left the city altogether, however retailers hate to be seen to be closing stores.

In my opinion John Mothersole has a lot to answer for regarding the farcical events in the ongoing saga and hopefully is not a key player in any future negotiations on our city centre.

[master_p 10]

Just because people are in sharp suits doesn't mean they aren't sprouting the same gossip and speculation as everyone else. But I believe they are referring to HSBC are taking the office space portion of the retail quarter this is going to be built on the site currently occupied by the Grosvenor hence the current rush to demolish it.

 

I can't see John Lewis moving out to Meadowhall, they dominate the city centre but would just be another store out there.

 

I also can't see john lewis moving directly across the road from where they are building a giant ikea given that they have objected to ikea previously

[smiggs 10]

As John Lewis will shortly open their Northern Showpiece store up the road at Leeds, I would expect that to put a further dent in the Sheffield store's profits, as it is somewhat dated and dowdy and no longer as competitive as it tries to make out. I wouldn't be too surprised if they moved down Meadowhall way or even left the city altogether, however retailers hate to be seen to be closing stores.

 

They intend to have both modern Leeds and Sheffield stores, when they committed to Leeds they had already signed off on being the anchor tenant of Sevenstone. I find it odd that a retailer such as John Lewis didn't have a Leeds store and I wouldn't be surprised if they opened up in Meadowhall however given that they have ridden out a decades of decay in Sheffield city centre and Sheffield's economy it would be odd to leave the centre now when the city is just starting to bounce back.

[gazza c 10]

Went to Donny today, first time in years. Roads have been improved and easy access into town centre. Parking three pound for whole day. Frenchgate center was clean and good shops but the market, absolutely bloody great. Great food, lovely veg and fruit at very reasonable prices. The meat bought has been cooked and eaten, it was delicious. The sea food and partridges will be eaten tomorrow.

In short does not matter what they do in Sheffield I have transferred my shopping allegiance the twenty miles to Doncaster, can highly recommend it.

 

well said,everything you have said is true, i go to Donny all the time, the market shows up sheffield market, i recommend people who havent been to go, the extra mileage is well worth it.

 

Sheffield city council havent got a clue about retail, absolutely none, and as previous posts have said, every other town centre has built their retail offering, sheffield is stuttering along. the mistake they made was emptying shops before a brick had been laid, the developers are now bossing the council it should be other way round, they know council are that desperate to finish a retail project, that they will dictate to the council and do it on their timescale not the other way round. Shambles!!!!!!!!

[Walkley0 Mum 10]

Just because people are in sharp suits doesn't mean they aren't sprouting the same gossip and speculation as everyone else. But I believe they are referring to HSBC are taking the office space portion of the retail quarter this is going to be built on the site currently occupied by the Grosvenor hence the current rush to demolish it.

 

I can't see John Lewis moving out to Meadowhall, they dominate the city centre but would just be another store out there.

 

For the sake of clarity I left out details. They carried, but didn't wear, hard hats, they had been walking the vacant land behind Next and in the cafe were viewing maps or plans on an ipad. Their discussion was framed in terms that indicated they had a direct interest in events rather than a little passing speculation. It could've been a bank they were talking about in regard to the city centre retail development. Whatever it was it didn't need a street level presence because they were talking about it only wanting national or international chains filling retail units on the ground floor.

 

It's still just rumour though.

[Cyclecar 24]

John Lewis personnel looking at a spot at Meadowhall? A Waitrose, perhaps.....

[hackey lad 3,976]

so Bradford finally get their new retail quarter built after 10 years , here in Sheffield we are 8 years and counting . when will ours be finished or are we still consulting ?

[mediumfast 10]

Just seen it on Calendar I think it was better as a park,just the same tedieous chains.