'Our golden mile for shopping is now dominated by food outlets'

Shoppers at what was one of Sheffield's main neighbourhood retail centres have said the former "golden mile" is now dominated by fast food outlets and other "leisure uses".

The BBC spoke to people on Ecclesall Road after the announcement that another chain, clothing brand FatFace, would be closing its store.

The company said it had made the "difficult decision" to pull out of the area, which has become increasingly popular as a destination for eating and drinking.

Scott Robinson, whose shoe repair shop has been trading on the road for 42 years, said: "A lot of shops have closed down and have been boarded up, some of the big names are shutting down."

Browsing in FatFace on Tuesday before its closure later this month while her husband bought a printer from a nearby business, Julia Hespe said: "I am shocked. It used to be an absolute pleasure to walk up and down this road.

"It's just amazing how the shops have changed. They don't look like they used to."

The former local medical centre worker told the BBC that the "community feel" along the road had been replaced by fast food restaurants.

David and Ruth Boyes have lived in Sheffield for 20 years. Mr Boyes said: "We wouldn't come down here to shop. We might come down here to eat. I think people are just shopping online."

Harriet Steers has worked at the Mookau gift shop, which is next to FatFace, for seven years.

She said: "It's not great because along with FatFace closing, there's also Design Studio that's going and Spirals is for sale as well.

Design Studio, an independent card and gift shop, is a long-term presence on the street and was founded in 1982.

Spirals, another gift shop, is also more than 30 years old and is up for sale due to the owner's health.

Ms Steers added: "It's a bit concerning but at the same time there are still loads of cafes and things so there is still foot traffic [including] when the students are here as well."

Shoe repair shop owner Mr Robinson reflected on his several decades in business and said: "There seems to be a bit more of a buzz generated around empty shops with restaurants and cafe bars taking over.

"Ecclesall Road's changed from a retail point of view to a leisure site really."

He said his business has had to adapt and expand what they sell to fill the void left by empty shops.

The retiring owner of Design Studio, Chris Lawrance, has been trying to sell his business for two years.

He said Ecclesall Road used to be "the golden mile of Sheffield" and "everyone flocked down there for everything". He described the area as "falling apart" and said he would like to see the regeneration of the road to bring it back to life.

Councillor Martin Smith, chair of the economic development and skills committee at Sheffield City Council, said: "I'm really sorry to hear about FatFace or any business that is closing. I'm sure we can support employees or provide people with any help that the council can but it's really tough times out there for retailers."

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