Sheffield City Centre to be 'tranformed' under new multi-million pound plans
The development will bring 7,000 new jobs to the city by 2024.
Huge multi-million pound plans to transform Sheffield City Centre, with new shops, restaurants, offices and flats, have been unveiled by the council.
60,000 square feet between Fargate and the Moor will be regenerated under the Heart of the City II project - previously called the Retail Quarter.
It's going to take 6 years to finish but could bring up to 7,000 jobs to the city.
Mazher Iqbal from Sheffield City Council says it'll have a huge impact:
"I am delighted to see these new plans come forward which will make such a lasting impact on Sheffield’s retail, leisure and entertainment offer. We believe that these re-shaped and exciting plans position Sheffield brilliantly to deliver an individual and unique scheme that reflects the different ways in which people shop, live and socialise.
"We are seeing schemes come forward across the city and more and more people choosing to live, work and study here. Our entertainment offer after 5pm is thriving. These new plans will see a truly innovative city centre emerging that reflects Sheffield’s changing dynamic.
"We are in exciting talks with major retailers but this is only part of the picture – delivering leisure, entertainment and tourism offers that complement them is what Heart of the City II is all about."
The developers say the plans give Sheffield City Centre what it's been missing - with premium shops, restaurants and two new hotels.
They'll also keep some of the heritage of the area - by keeping the Pinstone Street shop frontages and the historic Leah's Yard.
Paul Sargeant's one of the developers:
"In the post-Brexit market place, it is really encouraging to see proactive local authorities like Sheffield City Council taking their economic success back in to their own hands. They are driving forward regeneration in the short term that will kick start much needed private sector activity in the medium term.
"We have been working closely with Sheffield City Council for nearly two years now to develop a masterplan that will create a renewed focus for the centre, that combines the best of the old with new buildings and enhanced public realm.
"This is a key milestone and a significant step forward in this process, which will provide a transformational mixed use development and place the city at the forefront of urban place making."
It comes after the original Heart of the City project in Sheffield saw the area around the Peace Gardens developed.
Heart of the City II will build upon the new HSBC building that's almost finished in the area.
The plans are due to go before Sheffield City Council for approval later this month.
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