Hallamshire Post A vintage market is to boost the prestige of Abbeydale Road
UK £2.40
SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER 2014
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Monkey protest over Devonshire demolitions Indy shops in danger from plan for more flats By P G WODEHOUSE
Ten thousand people including Arctic Monkeys drummer, Matt Helders are trying to save a handful of independent shops from demolition in Devonshire Green.
Developers submitted an application to Sheffield City Council to replace vibrant independent shops, such as Rare and Racy, Syd and Mallory’s and the Natural Bed Company with cafes, restaurants and a three-storey high apartment block complete with a rooftop garden. Recent plans to bulldoze 162170 Devonshire Street created uproar in the local community who are now uniting to preserve the unique and quirky atmosphere of the Devonshire Quarter. “One of the main draws of Sheffield as a city is its independent traders and unique shopping districts - take this away and you’re losing Sheffield” writes an online commenter. More than ten thousand people signed an online petitioncreated by local poet Jonathan Butcher, opposing the idea. “The establishments threatened have long proven to be a hub of creativity and independent entrepreneurial talent, supporting both artists and creative endeavours” says Butcher, 36, who stocks his books in Rare and Racy - a second hand bookshop. Arctic Monkeys drummer, Matt Helders is also backing the campaign on Twitter saying: “You can’t let em knock down these shops! Classic, independent businesses in Sheffield.” Local grunge band, Dredge also joined the public outrage, calling councillors “bloodthirsty”, who “can’t get enough” on their website. The home-grown businesses threatened with closure are all part of the distinctive under-
ground scene of Sheffield, supporting local artists and ensuring interest in the area. Rare and Racy opened in 1969 and is one of the last hubs of unconventional art, old jazz and blues records and second hand books. Co-owner Alan Cape admits that he struggles with keeping his shop open. Although customers enjoy the atmosphere filled with incense and acid jazz music, they don’t purchase enough items to keep the business running. Investors, Primesite Ltd. argue that these businesses don’t generate enough profit for the city and the state of the old buildings is getting worse. In their statement they expressed plans to replace the buildings with contemporary design that “respect and enhance the existing historic vernacular of Devonshire Street”.
@matthelders ‘You can’t let em knock down these shops! Classic, independent businesses in sheffield.’
Sheffield Green Party leader Jillian Creasy criticised the development: “Losing the shops at the end of Devonshire Street will be the final nail in the coffin for small independent businesses in the area.” Hallam University student, Grace Oliver, 21, says there’s no need for more flats in the city centre, especially if it’s to the expense of her favourite book shop: “I absolutely adore the atmosphere in Rare and Racy. It is heart-breaking to see these wonderful shops slowly being eradicated from the final picture of Sheffield.” The deadline for the petition to be handed in to the Council is the 3rd of November.
A cause to tweet about @mikedolbear Sad to say it’s going on all over the UK. The high streets have gone @0musette0 That’s always the best ones which knock down first :( @tigersdave Ah, I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks Mr Helders. Now playing ‘If You Were There Beware’ @geekyclaire Why the need to demolish independent shops on Devonshire Green to make way for yet more flats?
Independent businesses to be pulled down in Devonshire Green to give way for new blocks of flats
‘Talking buses’ to help the blind
‘Your next stop is...’ By LEO TOLSTOY ‘Talking buses’ are planned to be introduced in Sheffield to help the blind with travelling. The equipment would announce bus stops on vehicles. “Drivers too often forget to inform blind bus users when they reach their destination, and that this has sometimes had serious repercussions for the passenger” said Cllr Cliff Woodcraft. The Royal Society of the Blind
in Sheffield welcomed the plans, emphasising the need for a more liveable environment for the blind and the partially blind in the city. The ‘Talking buses’ project would give them the freedom to travel independently without worrying. John Woods, 57, who is partially blind said: “It is a life saver idea. I’ve gone round and round on bus routes because nobody
told me that I’ve missed my stop. I prefer getting a lift by car now to avoid these situations” Councillors hope that this facility will encourage more drivers to choose buses over cars helping the environment and keeping the ‘green city’ title. Discussions with First Coach Bus and Stagecoach have already started and a competition is to be launched to invite students to come up with a low cost equipment solution.
Sheffield buses will ‘talk’ to help blind travellers
Parking plans postponed Long standing discussions of installing parking meters near Banner Cross shops might come to a compromised end. Plans for a pay and display parking scheme were drawn up in a petition by local traders, who say the restrictions would free up some parking space for customers and make shops more accessible. Local residents fear that the scheme would drive more traffic into their already busy streets. The council decision has been now postponed until the next financial year to allow more consultation. They promote a compromise between traders and residents by only installing meters between Psalter Lane and Huntingtower Road, where shop owners are affected the most.