New retail quarter is under fire

The Federation of Small Businesses has expressed dismay at the redevelopment.

In a letter to Sheffield Council leader Jan Wilson, it complained the proposals contain "little realistic provision" for independent small retailers.

It fears that small local firms will be "frozen out" as rents increase to levels that only large companies can afford.

The area around Pinstone Street and Cambridge Street is to be redeveloped in one of the largest regeneration schemes in Sheffield for decades.

A whole swathe of the city will be rebuilt between Pinstone Street, Barkers Pool and Charter Square, including a new John Lewis store twice the size of the current one.

Dozens of new shops are planned, including high profile names not currently represented in the city centre.

But the FSB say the risk is local shops will be replaced by the familiar corporate brand names and any semblance of a diverse local retail culture lost.

Tony Cherry, FSB regional chairman said: "If you compare the High Streets across the country, the same household-name chains are vying for prominence in every city, with very little provision made for local independents.

"Sheffield Council should ensure that every provision is made for a reversal of the trend towards the 'corporate cleansing' which has weakened the unique local character and charm of many of the UK's shopping centres in favour of an insipid corporate identical norm."

But John Mothersole, executive director of development, environment and leisure, said: "This is a fundamental misconception of what the New Retail Quarter is all about. There will be opportunities for business both large and small to benefit."

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