Sheffield revamp can't beat a bit of 'Bully'

Demolition work on Sheffield's New Retail Quarter, which will build a whole new shopping district for the city, is due to begin in the next few months.

And just like in Birmingham, just like in Manchester, in five years' time Sheffield will be able to boast a modern, purpose-built retail heart.

It is a huge undertaking, but one that Hammerson, the developers behind the project, are confident they can deliver - after all, they've done it already elsewhere.

Back in 1995 Hammerson bought up the rundown, unloved Bullring in Birmingham, with its graffiti-strewn buildings and brutal concrete markets.

Around half a billion pounds worth of investment was ploughed into the Bullring and eight years later it has been transformed into the bustling, attractive shopping district.

A vast glass-covered atrium stands at its heart, with wide, airy walkways and some of the top retail names in the UK. Alongside is a stunning new Selfridges - one of only four in the country - featuring a futuristic design adorned with shining aluminium panels.

The hated Rotunda, a cylinder-shaped tower block which also fallen into disrepair, has been refurbished by Urban Splash, the developers who plan to transform Sheffield's Park Hill estate.

Hammerson has been behind some of the largest schemes in the UK over the past several decades, from the huge Brent Cross shopping centre in London, at the beginning of the M1 back in 1976 to more recent schemes in Leicester, Bristol, and Leeds.

Now the firm plans to do for Sheffield what it has already achieved in Birmingham.

Carolyn Kenny, assistant director of Hammerson, the property giant behind the plan, said: "Schemes like this just don't happen overnight. We regenerated around 30 acres of largely derelict land in Birmingham.

"We recreated an iconic building in Selfridges, which is so successful that it is now seen as virtually synonymous with the Bullring. Around 3,000 jobs have been created and it now attracts 40 million visitors a year.

"In Birmingham 15 years ago the canal sides were neglected and run down. Now regeneration has been kickstarted in the city centre.

"But it is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about creating an experience. We hope to create a virtuous circle of investment leading to more investment.

"There will inevitably be disruption. I think a lot of people in Birmingham cursed it while it was going on. We are currently moving some major pieces of kit under the roads in Sheffield."

Details of exactly what Sheffield's new buildings are going to look like have not been unveiled yet - the drawings are still on the architects' drawing boards.

But the first sneak preview for what Sheffielders can expect for their new city centre are expected to be released in the next few weeks.

Work has already begun on the project - although many may not realise it.

The roads being dug up around Division Street and Pinstone Street over the past couple of months are vital enabling works to upgrade electricity, gas and water supplies to service the planned new developments.

And across town on Eyre Street work has already started on the Central Fire Station that will replace the current Wellington Street facility. Once the new fire station is open the bulldozers will move in on the old red brick building.

On that site will rise the planned new John Lewis store, which will be around twice as big as the present Barker's Pool shop.