Business leaders welcome plan to extend Sheffield's Peace Gardens

The latest phase of the Heart of the City II development has received a £6 million funding package and will include a pocket park, a small square on Carver Street with seating terraces for adjoining cafes, civic space and an extension of the Peace Gardens between the Town Hall and a new hotel on Pinstone Street.

Interim executive director Sheffield Chamber, Alexis Krachai said the pandemic had shown how much people value open spaces and being outdoors.

"This investment helps to bring the outdoor city further in the city centre," he said.

"More public spaces provide local people with areas to enjoy and also help to attract new businesses who create new jobs.

“A more attractive city centre with more public spaces is good for business and is good for the wellbeing of the city."

Housing developer David Cross, of Sky-House Co, said city centre regeneration had ‘stalled’ in the past and plans were the ‘right approach for any modern city.’

"Sheffield has come from a low base for all the reasons we know about, such as World War Two bomb damage, 1960s planning mistakes and of course Meadowhall sucking the life out of the city centre for decades,” he said.

“I think it's right for the council to step in and correct market failure where it exists and in this case the city centre regeneration has been stalled for as long as I can remember.”

Almost 20 years ago, Heart of the City I brought the Winter Garden, Millennium Gallery, Peace Gardens and the offices of St Paul's Place.

Heart of the City II involves the redevelopment of a seven-hectre site which includes Charter Square, Barker’s Pool and Pinstone Street.

Mr Cross added: “The new Heart of the City II projects will fill in these gaps and whilst originally planned as a retail quarter I think the city has been quick to redesign this into a much more blended development of offices, residential and leisure uses.

“Absolutely the right approach for any modern city.”

Mel Kanarek, director of Sheffield Digital, said a vibrant city centre was key to attracting businesses and enable Sheffield to compete with other cities across the country.

"A vibrant and attractive city centre is a key factor that businesses and the people who work in them look for when they decide where to locate,” she said.

“Sheffield is competing with cities all over the country and so we need to put our best foot forward.

" It's also important to recognise that it is next to impossible to reallocate this type of funding to other sorts of projects, so it makes sense to spend it in a way that is going to have a lasting impact."

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.