EXCLUSIVE: Meadowhall's £300 million leisure extension delayed as plans go back to the drawing board
British Land, the site's joint owner, has taken the 'Leisure Hall' back to the drawing board in a bid to cut the number of shops within the scheme, putting more emphasis on food, drink and other activities.
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Talks are under way with Sheffield Council and an amended planning application is likely to be submitted.
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Hide AdUnder the original proposals, a new 330,000 sq ft multi-level wing with a distinctive, latticed glazed roof was to have been built on the centre's car park, containing restaurants, a cinema, a gym, entertainment facilities and space for events, as well as around 25 retail units.
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The expansion - thought to be one of the biggest investments in Sheffield in a generation - was granted permission by the council in September 2017, but 14 months on there has been no sign of any construction work.
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Claire Barber, head of central London retail and Meadowhall for British Land, said: "What we're trying to do - and this is part of the review we're undertaking at the moment - is look at how we can amend the current plans to take out some of the retail, but still develop the leisure, food and beverage. I think it will change, but it will change to reflect the fact there's less retail space within it."
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Meadowhall opened in 1990 and was created on former industrial land after the big steel factories which once dominated the Lower Don Valley fell into decline. According to a 2015 report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, over the past 25 years the mall has contributed £4.4 billion to the city region, generating a further £1.9 billion for the wider UK economy.
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Hide AdIn 2017 a £60m refurbishment was completed at the centre, creating four separate districts and developing double-height stores for brands such as All Saints and Hollister. The likes of Michael Kors, Flannels and Joe Browns - an online firm branching out into its first physical outlet - also joined the mall for the first time. In addition, £40m was pumped into shop upgrades by companies including Apple, bringing the combined investment to £100m.