Sheffield City Council has released the names of the three potential development partners for the multi-million pound mixed use scheme in the heart of Sheffield city centre.
The prospective partners are Queensberry Real Estate, Lend Lease and Aspire Development Management Ltd. These companies will now proceed to the next stage of the selection process to be the Council’s development partner for the Sheffield Retail Quarter. The next stage of the process will involve detailed discussions with each of the bidders on their proposals with the aim of selecting a preferred partner by early 2016.
Councilor Leigh Bramall, the Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development said: “We are looking forward to meeting each of the bidders to discuss their proposals for the delivery of a modern, vibrant and transformational redevelopment that complements and enhances the existing architectural design of the city centre and surrounding area.
“The bidders have extensive experience in exciting, major developments in this country and internationally. We’re right on track to start work on site next year, with the majority of shops opening in 2019.”
Commenting on the announcement, Paul Sargent, Chief Executive of Queensberry Real Estate added: “Sheffield needs this development to put its retail offering back on the map following years of decline. We are naturally thrilled to have been shortlisted, which is in no small part to our strong track record in large scale, retail-led urban regeneration, as seen at our Friars Walk development in Newport (390,000 sq ft) our Victoria Square scheme in Belfast (850,000 sq ft) and our SouthGate mixed-use project in Bath (450,000 sq ft). Should we be selected, we would hit the ground running in working with the Council and local people and businesses to make this new retail vision a reality for Sheffield.”
An outline planning application for the development was submitted last month, which will see the area between Barkers Pool, Pinstone Street and Charter Square transformed with new shops, offices, restaurants and flats. Sheffield Retail Quarter could create around 2,500 jobs and bring in approximately an additional £300 million a year to the city centre, money that is currently being spent elsewhere.
