How Sheffield is portrayed. Why did they kill the city centre?

[Mecky]

Take a trip to Liverpool and see how a city that was dead in the water 30 years ago has become a smart thriving city.

 

I think the reson Sheffield is in the state it is in is because much of the population just says so what and makes excuses for why Sheffield city centre got flushed down the pan rather than blaming it on the folk who let it happen.

.

 

The same for Cardiff http://cardiffbay.co.uk/index.php/the-regeneration-project Sheffield doesn't have a navigable waterway though, except for the canal. Both Liverpool and Cardiff have made features of their waterways, all we have is the canal basin. What really draws people into the city centre? I’m struggling to think of something. The biggest deterrents to me are lack of free parking, pedestrianised areas blocking traffic flow e.g. Fargate, Barkers Pool and The Moor. There are too many one-way streets and no turning junctions which herd people around 3 miles of detours just to go 500 yards. Meadowhall is a big drag too, then there’s Centretainment and the arena all pulling trade away from the city centre. The council are looking to expand the city centre through Sevenstone rather than trying to improve the existing buildings with more specialist shops, high rents don’t help too. More than anything, though, I’d say it was the crappy road layout.

[roosterboost]

The same for Cardiff http://cardiffbay.co.uk/index.php/the-regeneration-project Sheffield doesn't have a navigable waterway though, except for the canal. Both Liverpool and Cardiff have made features of their waterways, all we have is the canal basin. What really draws people into the city centre? I’m struggling to think of something. The biggest deterrents to me are lack of free parking, pedestrianised areas blocking traffic flow e.g. Fargate, Barkers Pool and The Moor. There are too many one-way streets and no turning junctions which herd people around 3 miles of detours just to go 500 yards. Meadowhall is a big drag too, then there’s Centretainment and the arena all pulling trade away from the city centre. The council are looking to expand the city centre through Sevenstone rather than trying to improve the existing buildings with more specialist shops, high rents don’t help too. More than anything, though, I’d say it was the crappy road layout.

And Manchester

 

http://www.theguardian.com/local-government-network/2013/oct/15/manchester-private-sector-growth-jobs-expansion

 

 

Manchester's boom shows what can be achieved when councils work together

The city centre has seen a 40% increase in private sector jobs, and one of the UK's largest expansions in recent years

 

---------- Post added 11-12-2014 at 18:53 ----------

 

Why do you think that the Sevenstone developers pulled out?

 

Because Leeds was a better bet, and probably because the council attached too many strings. What are your thoughts?

Edited December 11, 2014 by roosterboost

[Mecky]

And to be fair I just think people love to hate Sheffield

[Daven]

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1359638

There is already a thread about this - threads should be merged. One is more than enough tbh:rolleyes:

Edited December 11, 2014 by Daven

[lesserthan1]

That's what I thought or at least i dont recognise it, which is apalling bit of journalism.

 

I think it doesn't matter where the photo is- they don't just talk about Sheffield in the article.

 

And I totally agree with the article, I work in town and it does seem to be going downhill. Short of a market everyone moans about, there's not really been that much investment in the past 10 years.

 

And it's no wonder given the lack of parking facilities and amount of low lifes the hang around town all the time, even our office has it's fair share around it. Why would anyone except the council want to invest in it? Is it any wonder out of down complexes are doing better?

 

Throwing money at our town centre is pointless, unless we're actually going to overhaul how it runs... i.e. make it more like the thriving competition!

[Daven]

Two threads discussing exactly the same subject

[JFKvsNixon]

Because Leeds was a better bet. What are your thoughts?

 

I believe that the credit crunch hit just as the redevelopment was starting meaning that all the cheap finance to dried up, leading to the developers that survived consolidating their plans and concentrating on the less risky developments.

 

I think that the developers acted atrociously, and they should have made it clear to the council that they had doubts a lot earlier so the council could rethink their plans.

[roosterboost]

The same for Cardiff http://cardiffbay.co.uk/index.php/the-regeneration-project Sheffield doesn't have a navigable waterway though, except for the canal. Both Liverpool and Cardiff have made features of their waterways, all we have is the canal basin.

 

Actually you make a very good point. I see Salford is the same.

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/sixty-apartments-plan-salford-quays-7366715

 

 

Sixty luxury apartments still under construction at Salford Quays have all been snapped up in a month - and demand is so great that another 60 are being built nearby.

 

The stylish homes, which start at £97,500 for a single bed flat, are on Trafford Road, near to Fit City Ordsall sports centre.

 

All the apartments are targeted at the buy-to-let market.

 

The properties proved so popular that the first of three phases sold out after 10 months on the market - and the second phase, currently being constructed, went in just four weeks.

 

Now the developer has announced plans to build the third phase - consisting of another 60 apartments nearby as demand is so high.

 

The popularity of the apartments is further proof that Salford is booming, according to Mayor Ian Stewart.

 

He said: “This development is another example of Salford’s growth and regeneration.

 

"It will help to bring jobs, economic growth and extra tax revenues to the city, so that we can spread prosperity right across Salford.

 

“This development, alongside others, is further proof that MediaCityUK and the regeneration of Salford Quays is bringing huge positive benefits to Salford.

 

"With more than 800 businesses on site, 26,000 jobs created already and 15,000 more to come, Salford Quays is helping to attract investors such as Knight Knox International to put their money into improving Salford.”

 

 

 

I just wonder why we made such a dog's breakfast of redeveloping the canal basin so that the only thing there are canal boats for sale.

[Mecky]

Course Manchester has the advantage of many outlaying townships/villages with good rail links bringing in trade e.g. Glossop to Manchester and all the stations along the way, Stockport, Oldham etc. There was talk of them re-opening Mayfield next to Piccadilly to cope with rail traffic. It's akin to calling Doncaster, Rotherham, Chesterfield, Barnsley part of Sheffield. I reckon with this Northern powerhouse rubbish the government has come out with, Sheffield will be out on a limb

[Blackbeard]

Actually you make a very good point. I see Salford is the same.

 

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/sixty-apartments-plan-salford-quays-7366715

 

 

Sixty luxury apartments still under construction at Salford Quays have all been snapped up in a month - and demand is so great that another 60 are being built nearby.

 

The stylish homes, which start at £97,500 for a single bed flat, are on Trafford Road, near to Fit City Ordsall sports centre.

 

All the apartments are targeted at the buy-to-let market.

 

The properties proved so popular that the first of three phases sold out after 10 months on the market - and the second phase, currently being constructed, went in just four weeks.

 

Now the developer has announced plans to build the third phase - consisting of another 60 apartments nearby as demand is so high.

 

The popularity of the apartments is further proof that Salford is booming, according to Mayor Ian Stewart.

 

He said: “This development is another example of Salford’s growth and regeneration.

 

"It will help to bring jobs, economic growth and extra tax revenues to the city, so that we can spread prosperity right across Salford.

 

“This development, alongside others, is further proof that MediaCityUK and the regeneration of Salford Quays is bringing huge positive benefits to Salford.

 

"With more than 800 businesses on site, 26,000 jobs created already and 15,000 more to come, Salford Quays is helping to attract investors such as Knight Knox International to put their money into improving Salford.”

 

 

 

I just wonder why we made such a dog's breakfast of redeveloping the canal basin so that the only thing there are canal boats for sale.

 

A nice bit of free publicity for Peel Holdings, the same people who shut down Sheffield City Airport and turned it into a business park. Other people have differing thoughts about Peel, The Media City and Salford.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-biggest-company-youve-never-heard-of-lifting-the-lid-on-peel-group--the-property-firm-owned-by-reclusive-tax-exile-john-whittaker-8890201.html

http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=31

http://www.salfordstar.com/article.asp?id=1761

Worth a read