How Sheffield's retail 'golden mile' came to be dominated by food

A former major community retail hub in Sheffield, shoppers say the once "golden mile" is now dominated by fast food outlets and other "leisure" venues. The BBC interviewed residents on Ecclesall Road after clothing brand FatFace announced it would be closing its store.

FatFace said they had made the "difficult decision" to pull out of the area due to its increasing popularity as a dining destination. Scott Robinson, who has run a shoe shop there for 42 years, said: "A lot of shops have closed and been boarded up, some big names are closing down too."

Julia Hespe was shopping there on Tuesday before FatFace closes later this month, while her husband was buying a printer at a nearby shop. She said: "I’m shocked. It used to be an absolute pleasure to walk down this road. The changes in the shops are so vast, they don't look like they used to." The former local medical centre worker told the BBC that the road’s "community feel" had been replaced by fast food outlets.

David and Ruth Boyes have lived in Sheffield for 20 years. Mr Boyes said: “We wouldn’t come here to shop. We might come here to eat. I think people just shop online." Harriet Steers, who has worked at the Mookau gift shop next door to FatFace for seven years, said: "It's not great because not only is FatFace going, Design Studio is going, Spirals is up for sale."

Design Studio, an independent card and gift shop, has been on the street since 1982. Spirals, another gift shop, also with more than 30 years of history, is up for sale due to the owner’s health. Ms Steers added: “It’s a bit worrying but at the same time, there are still lots of cafes and things so there’s still footfall [including] when the students are here."

Shoe shop owner Mr Robinson reflected on his decades of trading, saying: "There seems to be more of a buzz around the empty shops with restaurants and coffee bars taking over. Ecclesall Road has changed from being a retail destination to being a real leisure destination." He said his business had had to adapt and expand its range to fill the gap left by empty shops.

Chris Lawrance, the retiring owner of Design Studio, has been trying to sell his business for two years. He said Ecclesall Road used to be the "golden mile of Sheffield", where "everybody flocked to buy everything". He described the area as "falling apart" and said he would like to see the road revitalised and brought back to life.

Councillor Martin Smith, chair of Sheffield City Council’s economic development and skills committee, said: “I’m very sorry to hear of the closure of FatFace or any business. I’m sure we can offer support to the staff or whatever help the council can offer to people, but it is tough times for retailers.”