Theme 2: Settlement - Retail

Case Study 6: The Meadowhall Story

Location:

• Junction 34 of the M1 motorway


• 3 miles north east of Sheffield City Centre


• Don Valley area of Sheffield


• Brownfield site (built on former steel works)


• Surrounded by 9 large cities and towns e.g Leeds, Hull, Nottingham (9 million people within 1 hours drive)

Previous Landuse:
Former steelworks. Great location in the early 18th Century due to flat land, water power, coal, millstone grit, limestone, labour all nearby.

However, the steel industry began to decline in Sheffield because of:
cheaper imports, lack of raw materials readily available nearby, lower wages abroad and consolidation of the steel industry. Also Sheffield's central location made it difficult for Sheffield to compete with other steel works closer to markets and the coast (exporting and importing).

What Could Sheffield do after the decline of the Steel Industry?

1. Invest in transport links (railway network)

2. Invest in the road network (M1 motorway nearby)

3. Invest in the local economy

4. Invest in tertiary services like retail e.g. making Sheffield a commercial centre

5. Invest in tourism in the region e.g. Peak District to the south of Sheffield

Reason why this site was chosen for Meadowhall:

1. Brownfield site (previous industry on it - so not taking new greenfield land up)

2. Readily available workforce in nearby suburbs of Sheffield

3. Large area available for expansion

4. Transport access - M1 motorway and main A roads leading out of Sheffield nearby

5. 9 million people live within 1 hours drive (a development like Meadowhall would need lots of people to use it to make it profitable)

Meadowhall Features:
Under 1 roof
Leisure, retail and recreation (shops, cinema, games, restaurants)
Family orientated
300+ shops
Food court (serving fast food and restaurant standard)
12,000 free car park spaces
Wide aisles / flat surfaces
Lifts / mobility services
Safe / secure
Transport Interchange (bus, rail, tram)
30 million people visiting Meadowhall each year

Consider the negative impacts of Meadowhall:
1. 25% drop in trade in Sheffield City Centre when Meadowhall opened

2. Decline of the Sheffield City Centre - shops closed down, bargain shops moved in, graffiti, litter, vandalism, crime increased (becoming the 'Dead Heart' and not the 'Vibrant Hub' it once was.

3. Council had to spend money on regenerating the city centre - pedestrianising, improving transport facilities and diversifying to attract people back to the city