What Sheffield City Council are doing to sort out 'less than ideal' city centre

Coun Mazher Iqbal, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for business and investment, wants to “build on Sheffield’s unique offer as a creative, climate-resilient and sustainable ‘Outdoor City’.”

His comments came after a Freedom of Information request revealed no fewer than 12 per cent of the 898 retail units in the city centre were empty in December, when the most recent count took place.

That figure includes spaces that can be used for shops, cafes and restaurants. In total 105 units were vacant, excluding sites under development.

Coun Mazher said: “With plans in place to create more climate-friendly spaces, it will make sure we meet the demands of the climate emergency, which in turn will provide areas where people can meet and relax.

“Through this, as well as other projects, we aim to generate investor confidence, attract and retain new visitors and residents, and build on Sheffield’s unique offer as a creative, climate resilient and sustainable ‘Outdoor City’.”

He also admitted parts of the city centre were “less than ideal” in the current state.

But the £500 million Heart of the City II regeneration programme and the upcoming bid to the government’s Future High Streets Fund were highlighted as positive steps.

He said: “It is the role of the public sector to take the lead in providing and facilitating key infrastructure which is why we’re working so hard to support projects such as our upcoming bid of £25m through the government Future High Streets Fund.

“It is essential for us to create an environment for success through improvements in essential infrastructure and to take the city’s cultural renaissance to new levels.”

He added: “Heart of the City II is gathering momentum. It is packing a real punch in terms of scheme take-up and it has been successful in attracting new businesses to the city centre.

“The flexible block-by-block delivery plan ensures that the mix of uses within the scheme, meets business demand and keeps pace with the changes taking place in the retail market, which is being felt across the country.”