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'It's been a difficult few years for traders but we're turning a corner'

BBC Photo shows a smiling man with white hair and glasses in a white shirt and black waistcoat. He is stood behind the counter in a coffee shop. There is coffee equipment and drinks on shelves behind him and a counter full of pastries in front of him BBC
Coffee shop owner Tim Nye is hopeful Sheffield city centre's regeneration will boost trade

Back in early 2023, work began to regenerate Fargate in Sheffield city centre. The street was "dug up" for renovations, but rising costs led to significant delays and frustration for business owners. As a new year dawns, can they finally see a light at the end of the tunnel? The BBC spoke to traders looking ahead to 2025.

Photo shows Fargate, a shopping parade in Sheffield city centre. A line of heavy red and white plastic blocks and high fences runs the length of the precinct, in front of several High Street shops
Traders and shoppers have complained about access to shops being blocked while Fargate is renovated

The council has said that the Fargate works will be finished by February, when new paving, planters and underground bins will be unveiled. Costs spiralled to £14.4m and barriers installed made it difficult to access shops and navigate around the area.

Councillor Ben Miskell, who is in charge of regeneration, said: "It's really important to thank people for bearing with us.

"It is going to be a fabulous space, a place for people to shop but also a space for events.

"It's all part of increasing the number of people who come and enjoy the city centre because it is doing well, but we want to see more people coming to shop, work and live here."

Delays were caused by issues with ground conditions, paving supplies and the new bins.

The Christmas lights switch-on event even had to be cancelled because of the safety risks posed by the works.

A man with white hair and glasses is smiling and wearing a white shirt and black waistcoat. He is sitting outdoors in the city centre. Next to him is an old fashioned small black wagon with Marmadukes written on the side in white letters
Tim Nye of Marmadukes coffee shops says things are improving in Sheffield city centre

Tim Nye owns the Marmadukes chain of coffee shops, two of which are in the city centre. He said footfall has increased but it had been a "difficult few years".

"We have been in the middle of two big developments, Heart of the City and Fargate, but it feels like we are turning a corner.

"Footfall increased considerably when the Sostrene Grene store opened next to us on Cambridge Street, it made an instant difference.

"When the building work around Heart of the City was finished that also made a difference.

"The Cambridge Collective food hall brought more people into the city centre and some big companies have moved in such as DLA Piper and Henry Boot, but some of the buildings are still not occupied after five years, which is frustrating.

"The redevelopment of John Lewis will mean more building work too. Things are definitely improving and there is a huge potential but it is going to be a long battle."

There are two women stood in front of book shelves in a shop. The woman on the left has short brown hair and glasses, she is smiling and wearing a black top and a red and white cardigan. The woman on the right is also smiling, she has shoulder length brown hair and glasses and is wearing a cream jumper
Rosie May and Sarah Scales, of Juno bookshop, said it had been difficult trading while the city centre has been redeveloped

Rosie May and Sarah Scales received council funding to help start their business, Juno bookshop on Chapel Walk, but trade was hit when the work on Fargate started shortly after.

Ms May said she feels both frustrated and hopeful that things would change.

She said: "We opened in October 2022 and were heavily encouraged to apply for council grants.

"We received some money to fit out the shop but it wasn't an easy process as we had to pay for the work, then claim it back from the council.

"We were expecting a swell of other businesses to open, but only another couple opened and things ground to a halt when the work on Fargate started.

"The council kept saying to hang on in there, but offered no financial support when we had quite a hit on our takings."

There is an artist's drawing of Fargate, the buildings and the Town Hall are all white. There are a number of people walking around, with some open air cafes. Down the centre of Fargate, there are drawings of flowers and plants
An artist's impression of how Fargate will look once completed

The council successfully bid for £15.8m from the Future High Streets Fund in 2021 to improve Fargate, High Street and Castlegate.

The original costs considerably increased because of inflation and the price of materials.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority stepped in and gave an additional £4.6m of funding to ensure the Fargate project was completed.

Meanwhile, work on High Street and Castlegate has been paused while the council concentrates its budget on Fargate.

Juno owner Ms May added: "We are really lucky as we have a lot of loyal customers but it massively impacted on passing footfall, people say they just don't come into town any more."

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