'˜We want high-end fashion stores,' say Sheffield shoppers

Shoppers today welcomed the possibility of high-end fashion stores coming to Sheffield city centre as part of the new retail quarter.
Sheffield Retail Quarter artist impressionSheffield Retail Quarter artist impression
Sheffield Retail Quarter artist impression

And they said that top fashion stores to rival other big cities and towns would be a massive boost to the city.

Cuffy Hulatt, aged 17, a sales advisor from Dronfield, said new fashion shops this would benefit many shoppers.

Andrew DowdeswellAndrew Dowdeswell
Andrew Dowdeswell

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He said: “I would definitely make use of some designer shops.

“There aren’t many high end shops in Sheffield, you have to go to Meadowhall, and the city centre is much more accessible than that.”

Raymond RhodesRaymond Rhodes
Raymond Rhodes

Mary Mutch, 53, a civil servant, from the city centre, said: “This is what Sheffield needs to keep it thriving and lively.

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“It will keep people interested in the city centre, rather than having to go to Meadowhall.” Self-employed Joe Palfreeman, 25, from Walkley, agrees: “There is quite a lot of small boutiques around the city centre, and another shopping development would take away from those.

“However, I do think it would be taking people away from Meadowhall, which is probably a good thing.”

Andrew Dowdeswell, 22, a freelance writer from Crosspool, said: “A new shopping centre will bring more people into the city centre.

Joe PalfreemanJoe Palfreeman
Joe Palfreeman

“There may be a detrimental effect to high street shops, but that is all part of making the decision to build something like this.”

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But some shoppers believe that Meadowhall’s success will continue despite a new retail quarter.

Raymond Rhodes, 72, a retired musician from Chesterfield, believes new stores will not stop people visiting his usual shops.

He said: “A development like this would be good for me, but if the motive is to take people away from Meadowhall then it won’t work.

Adrian LingsAdrian Lings
Adrian Lings

“Those who go to places like Meadowhall will continue to go there.”

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Adrian Lings, 42, a radio presenter from Norfolk Park, is eager for the retail quarter and the high-end shops it could bring to become a reality. He said: “The only issue I have is if this is ever going to get built, because I’m concerned about the money going into it.

“On the other hand, I think it would be good. Not all of us like to shop at Primark.”

But Antonia Barton, 27, an executive assistant from Grenoside, believes it is the bars that will have more of a positive impact, rather than designer brands.

She said: “I think Sheffield city centre doesn’t compare to somewhere like Leeds city centre, and this won’t make much of a difference. The bars here could be better – that’s all they should be building.”