'Regeneration work is affecting business' - traders

Traders in a Sheffield suburb say regeneration work in their area is coming at the expense of their businesses.

Major roads have been closed through Attercliffe as work has started to transform the area, with Sheffield City Council aiming to create up to 3,000 new homes and about 1,500 new jobs over the next 10 to 15 years.

It will see the introduction of new cycle lanes and the first "red route" in Sheffield - with double red lines prohibiting any parking, loading or waiting at any time.

The council said the changes will offer "new opportunities" for businesses to thrive, but local businessman Ahmir Hussein said many won't survive long enough to benefit from the changes.

Hussein is the manager of the IQRA gift shop on Attercliffe Road and set up the Attercliffe Action Group in response to the council's plans for the area.

"When the project was created there was a lack of consultation with people," he said.

"Information was sent out during Covid and lockdown when many people were not here or in a position to respond."

He added: "Now, it feels the council has adopted a bunker mentality where they're not willing to listen or adapt their plans."

The council had previously considered introducing red lines to two other major routes into the city centre, but later shelved the plans in favour of other measures.

Pauline Crawley said the introduction of the red route to Attercliffe Road had forced her to bring forward a decision to retire and close her Direct Shop and Sew business after 44 years.

"The red route is killing our business," she said.

"It's upsetting all the businesses down here - there's two perfectly good cycle lanes, one on the River Don and one on the canal side."

Although Crawley does have limited parking in front of her business, she said customers regularly unloaded "big embroidery machines" for workshops.

Under the red route rules, she said these customers could be fined.

Nat Zimmermann from Cycle Sheffield, which campaigns for cycle-friendly infrastructure, said he sympathised with traders but felt new cycles lanes were a "positive" addition linking Attercliffe with other areas of the city.

He said safer roads would make more people consider cycling in Attercliffe and beyond.

"You don't say we're not going to build a bridge because we don't see anyone swimming across the river," he said.

"You build for what you want to encourage. We want to encourage people to cycle and walk. If they build it, people will come."

Ian Scott, owner of the Courtyard Café & Bar on Attercliffe Road, said the current roadworks were expected to last until November and "shocking" for business.

"It's lunchtime and we're empty, we've got five customers in," he said.

He said takings were currently down between £600-£800 a month.

"I've had to lay off a staff member because things are so bad, he said.

"People take one look at the roadworks and just don't bother stopping to use the car parks behind us."

A Sheffield City Council spokesperson said: "We understand, appreciate and are sorry to hear about the concerns of local businesses in the Attercliffe area.

"We recognise that some businesses are concerned about the impact of the works and the long-term changes to Attercliffe Road.

"Prior to the works starting, the council carried out a number of consultation activities, including online engagement, in person drop-in events and the statutory traffic regulation order process.

"We have been working with businesses to reduce the impact on them during the construction of the project, as well as reviewing if changes can be made to the permanent scheme to improve delivery access, customer parking and accessibility throughout the area."

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