Launched in 2020, the £470 million scheme was introduced to redevelop key areas of the Sheffield City Centre, offering new and restored spaces for retail, food and drink as well as new homes and office spaces.

It saw the introduction of the Cambridge Street Collective, Europe’s biggest purpose built food hall, and the reopening of the Grade II listed Leah’s Yard, which now houses a variety of independent shops. 

Whilst the council’s plans to rejuvenate the city centre were widely praised, with the scheme being named the Commercial Public – Private Partnership of the Year at the Property Week Awards in July, there have been concerns from some that a number of shop units still remain empty.

The BBC reported in July that half of the retail units remained vacant, despite being complete for almost a year by that point, with Sheffield City Council confirming that of the 69 units, only 35 were occupied.

In a case study carried out by Centre for Cities, it found that of every £20 spent in person in the city, only £1 was spent in Sheffield City Centre, which it says is in part due to competition from Meadowhall Shopping Centre.

It also found that of any large city centre, Sheffield’s has the highest store vacancy rate.

The council maintains there are more announcements of openings to come, with alternative fashion company Damaged Society being the most recent to open a store in the Heart of the City.

Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee said: “Over the last few weeks and months, we have announced several new shops and cafes opening or due to open in the Heart of the City. And we’re not finished yet; we have even more to announce in the coming weeks and months as we continue to transform the city centre into a place we can all be proud of.”

The project saw Sheffield City Council partner with Queensberry Real Estate to deliver the plans across the seven hectare heart of the city, with the scheme having been forecast to bring in £3.7 billion by 2030.

Cllr. Miskell added: “The way iconic buildings have been incorporated, giving a nod to the city’s vitally important history, was always part of the plan while, at the same time, offering the very best facilities the market demands.”

The five-year scheme has now reached its final phase, with many of the new spaces and restored buildings ready for businesses to move into. 

The addition of Güs, a sauna, ice bath and Scandinavian cafe has also recently been announced, with it set to open its doors to the public this Winter on Cambridge Street.