Shop plans 'will boost city's status'

Major shopping improvements in Sheffield will reinforce the city's status, according to a new report on Britain's retail centres by Experian Business Strategies

Experian’s UK 2007 Retail Ranking says developer Hammerson’s plans for the New Retail Quarter and RREEF’s revamp of The Moor will vastly improve the southern end of the city centre bring additional benefits by strengthening links to Fargate.

Economic forecasters at the business information specialists say the developments planned for the city will push Sheffield up the retail rankings.

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“Sheffield is a major retail centre in Yorkshire and over the next few years will be subject to considerable investments in the retail environment,” say the forecasters.

“The new retail proposals will be concentrated on The Moor and the New Retail Quarter , with other developments, including the Winter Gardens mixed used scheme.

“The Moor has previously been the secondary retail pitch in the city centre. However, RREEF's proposed 530,000 sq ft redevelopment, focusing on two key blocks at either end of The Moor, coupled with significant public realm works, will provide a vastly superior shopping environment.”

Experian’s forecasters also predict that Barnsley will be better able to compete with the retail challenge posed by Meadowhall, Doncaster and Leeds thanks to town centre development plans.