Piecing together city's retail jigsaw puzzle

That's the view of Coun Tim Rippon, whose work as cabinet member for economic regeneration, culture and planning involves making the decisions which are shaping the future of the city.

"We've never experienced as good an opportunity as we have at the moment. For the past 20 or 30 years, there has been little private-sector development and we had to persuade investors to come to Sheffield. Now, there is a lot of interest."

This has a knock-on effect in terms of the quality of new structures; with more architects keen to get involved, better designs are being drawn-up.

Office blocks and the St Paul's Hotel which replaced the "eggbox" council extension, have been criticised for lacking character but Coun Rippon says they were "always meant to be background buildings", so as not to detract from the Victorian grandeur of the Town Hall.

He says the new retail quarter - which is to take shape over the coming years between Pinstone Street, Barker's Pool and the top of The Moor - will boast "high quality" buildings, many of stone and brick.

"We are looking to create buildings which will become landmarks and that are designed to last," Coun Rippon said.

The new retail quarter is vital for the local economy because 36 pence of every pound spent by Sheffield residents is currently being rung through tills outside the city.

Featuring a range of shops centred around a new John Lewis department store, open streets, bars and cafes, the development aims to make central Sheffield a thriving shopping destination once more.

But the area will not be similar to the large indoor shopping centres which dominate the centre of cities such as Birmingham and Manchester.

"Although the central street will have a canopy, we were always certain we didn't want another Meadowhall," Coun Rippon said.

Also planned for the area are a hotel and some residential properties.

Creation of the new retail quarter it is not the only important change.

Coun Rippon's vision for the city centre also encompasses the current revamp of The Moor along with creating a new commercial district around the Wicker and Riverside, linked to neighbouring areas and Victoria Quays through the redevelopment of the run-down markets district.

He said: "Making it happen is like fitting pieces into a jigsaw puzzle. Before we can redevelop the markets, for example, their new home has to be completed on The Moor.

"Work on the new retail quarter will begin once the new fire station on Eyre Street is finished. That will be a real milestone. Then the current one on Wellington Street can be replaced with the new John Lewis store, the old John Lewis site can be redeveloped, and so on."

Legal agreements for the new retail quarter, including compulsory purchase orders, have been signed and detailed plans for the new buildings are being drawn-up, which will be considered for approval by planning board councillors in the coming months.

Preparatory work ahead of the development is already being carried out, with new electricity cables and other utility pipes laid to serve the area.

Meanwhile, once the new Moor market opens, Coun Rippon says Castle Market and adjoining buildings towards Fitzalan Square will be demolished - with the exception of some of the older structures on Dixon Lane and the old crown court at the corner of Castle Street and Waingate.

In that area, Coun Rippon highlights an "exciting" discovery which could create a new tourist attraction in the heart of the city.

Exploratory digs in loading bays behind Castle Market have found remains of Sheffield's old castle.

Coun Rippon said: "We are now planning to do a full archaeological dig and we are hope that what is there will become a heritage landmark, at the centre of a new public open space."

Coun Rippon believes the development of the new retail quarter and revamp of The Moor means the Castlegate area will lose its historical position as one of the main shopping areas.

It is more likely to house a continuation of the commercial area around Riverside and the Wicker, as well as providing a link with the rest of the city centre.

Coun Rippon said: "We've always lacked a really good retail area in Sheffield - it was never what the fourth-largest city in England deserves - but now we are having the chance to rectify that.

"And, with the other changes, we want to create a city centre to be proud of for years to come."