Latest news with #SostreneGrene
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Half of units in Sheffield's Heart of the City scheme empty
The owner of a business which has been open during construction work on a major regeneration scheme has said he is now "surrounded" by empty shops and little of the retail units in Sheffield's £470m city centre redevelopment are still vacant a year after building work the 69 units in the Heart of the City, only 35 are occupied, according to figures from Sheffield City Council. There are 25 vacant and nine under offer from potential tenants. The council said it would announce more "exciting openings" in the coming weeks and months. The spaces are earmarked for leisure, hospitality, retail and offices and include well-known buildings such as the old Gaumont Cinema, Bethel Chapel and Henry's development is also bordered by the closed John Lewis, Debenhams and Monki Nye opened his coffee shop Marmadukes five years ago and traded while the new development was being built around him. He is now surrounded by empty said: "It's really disappointing and a worry. It's not what we expected, it's not been easy."When I first spoke about taking this unit I was told that HSBC would have a bank next door to me, which sounded great, that's lots of footfall, but it didn't happen."A boost came when Sostrene Grene opened next door to us and the Cambridge Street Collective food hall also helped a little bit when it opened."Obviously we want neighbours, we have this bright new city centre, and I've spoken to a few people who said they've been looking at units but it's just not happened. The unit opposite has been empty now five years."We were told the council wanted really good independents to be in this area but for whatever reason, they've not come. It's a shame."Mr Nye said it had felt like a "battle" at times."The councillors really care but I think developing an area like this is such a huge undertaking. They need funding but also really need people who have a vision and that commercial knowledge to make it happen."I'm not saying it's all bad, but it speaks for itself when these units are empty." Kyle Barley is manager of The Cream Store and is more optimistic."We've been here since October after we saw an opportunity with the Heart of the City development."Sheffield has always been on our radar as a company because we felt there was untapped opportunity within the city centre and so far, we're happy to say that we've been right in our choice."We have found footfall steady, we can have busy periods. In the beginning, it was quiet during the week but traffic has been OK recently."Obviously, to see some of the units filled would be advantageous to us and bring more people." Sheffield City Council said Heart of the City continued to grow in popularity, attracting businesses and drawing people into the city Ben Miskell, chairman of the regeneration committee, said: "I'm incredibly proud of the fantastic mix we have, not only in terms of big national names sitting alongside incredible local brands, but also in terms of the retail, office, residential and leisure offering we have."We're not finished though, businesses are still incredibly keen to be involved, and we will be announcing more exciting openings in the coming weeks and months." Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
STV News
27-06-2025
- Business
- STV News
Edinburgh economy outperforms London for first time, new data reveals
Edinburgh's economy has outperformed London's for the first time ever, according to new data. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the value of goods and services produced per head of population surpassed London's for the first time. The figures showed a gross domestic product per capita of £69,809 in Edinburgh, compared to £69,077 for London. City of Edinburgh council leader Jane Meagher welcomed the news, saying the capital has long been Scotland's 'economic powerhouse'. 'This is good news for our local businesses and employment, and shows the confidence global investors have in Edinburgh,' she said. Over the last year, the city has welcomed 27 developments funded by foreign direct investment (FDI), with shops like Sostrene Grene and MINISO to renewable energy consultants PSC. Meagher added: 'We know that Edinburgh is one of the best places to live, work and study, making it a magnet for such investment and for tourism.' 'This is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with more than 60,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years and over four million visitors every year.' Meagher said the city now faces the challenge of ensuring the growth is 'fair and sustainable'. 'To keep thriving, we need to manage the pressures placed on our housing, transport network, environment, services and residents,' she continued. 'Everyone should be able to benefit from Edinburgh's continued economic success.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
