£15.8m is welcome because Fargate simply can't wait any longer - Business editor's comment

Weirdly, the Government announced the winners of the Future High Street Fund at a time when most people were busy with other things.

But it was welcome news because the money is much needed.

Fargate is the worst it’s been, due to factors including online shopping and the pandemic. The new cash will help this once premium shopping street feature dining and events too.

The plans include converting an empty shop into a multi-storey events building, new access to flats in disused offices, pocket parks, lighting and landscaping.

Prof Vanessa Toulmin of the University of Sheffield is to be commended for putting the bid together, on behalf of the city council, especially as many areas were unsuccessful, such as Mansfield and Hull.

But how far will £15.8m go? The area covered by the cash also includes High Street - down on its luck after the loss of Pizza Hut and Bonmarche recently - and Chapel Walk, which is having a rough time too.

The former Yorkshire Bank building at the top of Fargate is also in the mix. It fell empty in autumn. Cabinet member for business, Coun Mazher Iqbal, said the FHSF monies could be used to give it a new use.

To put it in context, the revamp of The Moor cost £120m and the Heart of the City II development will cost £480m.

That aside, the other big plus is timing. The Fund requires projects to get underway pronto. And even though there’s a lockdown on, it is hoped work can start as soon as possible so we can see improvements this year.

Fargate simply can’t wait any longer.

But once complete, Sheffield could be in the rare position of looking its best across a wide area - from the new Grey to Green park on Castlegate, to Fitzalan Square, Fargate, recently-pedestrianised Pinstone Street, Heart of the City II and The Moor.

When we’re finally free of the pandemic and people can venture into the city again, they might be surprised by its appearance. And hopefully visitors and investors will be too.

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.