The Moor Market Sheffield building architect, Cumberland Street fevelopment, Yorks local traders

The Moor Market in Sheffield

City Traders project in South Yorkshire, northern England design by Leslie Jones Architecture, Architects

The Moor Market opens in Sheffield city centre

Design: Leslie Jones Architecture

Location: Cumberland Street, central Sheffield, South Yorkshire, north of England, UK

NEW LANDMARK MARKET OPENS ON THE MOOR IN SHEFFIELD

The Moor Market, Sheffield
photo from architects

26 Nov 2013

The Moor Market, Sheffield Building

Designed using both contemporary and traditional elements, the purpose built market (opened 25 November 2013) is setting a high quality standard for future retail and market developments across Europe.

The Moor Market provides 73,000 sq ft of new space for local traders and was designed by leading architects, Leslie Jones, on behalf of Sheffield City Council. The firm drew inspiration from traditional market halls and used innovative modern construction techniques and high quality materials to create this exciting building.

Brian Tracey, Director at Leslie Jones Architecture said: “Traditional markets possess great theatre and character, although many of the buildings themselves tend to be rather run down. At The Moor Market we wanted to capture the energy in the architecture itself, whilst still enabling the theatre of markets to unfold inside. As retail specialists, we also understand the need for the building  to meet the demands of modern businesses and so The Moor Market meets all the functional requirements owners, management and tenants can expect from a 21st century market.”

The Moor Market, Sheffield
photo from architects

As the single largest concentration of small businesses in the city centre, the market can start to offer an exciting destination for consumers where local food and general merchandise can serve a wide demographic.

With the majority of the frontage on The Moor being made up of new retail units, the market needed to be a landmark building in order to draw footfall. Leslie Jones achieved this through the creation of a dramatic brass-clad entrance arch on The Moor, contrasting with the more restrained rectangular frames of the retail units. Footfall between The Moor and the Market is further encouraged by a row of large, glazed sliding doors to the side of the entrance arch, encouraging the market to spill out into the street and blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior.

The external envelope of the main market hall draws inspiration from contemporary European markets through an innovative timber weave cladding alternating with projecting courses of 490 mm long bricks, which echo the Victorian red-brick architecture of Sheffield.

The Moor Market, Sheffield
photo from architects

Leslie Jones worked closely with stall holders and management to ensure the maximum internal area was available for the display of goods. The Market will be home to 90 stallholders who benefit from around 200 three metre square stalls, many of which are combined to form larger single stalls. Traders also benefit from the geometry of the building, which draws footfall along the longest axis via a large central space to aid orientation. The market is split approximately by 60 per food stalls and 40 per cent non-food, with a number of café stalls.

The market interior provides a robust low maintenance loose fit aesthetic that can respond to the changing needs of stall holders. The use of exposed timber and expressed yellow ductwork provides a feeling of warmth and excitement in the interior.

The opening marks a milestone in the £22.5 million first phase of the redevelopment of The Moor in Sheffield. The initial phase also includes 60,000 sq ft of retail space owned by Scottish Widows Investment Partnership Property Trust (SWIPPT) and designed by Leslie Jones. As the sole owner of the 600,000 sq ft estate, SWIPPT will be driving the project forward and has already secured planning for the next phase, with work due to commence in the New Year.

Brian Tracey continued: “As part of the first phase of the redevelopment of The Moor in Sheffield, the market also presents a refreshing new approach to high street regeneration. It brings together local traders and nationwide brands within the existing urban fabric to create a diverse and exciting shopping and leisure experience that meets the needs of today’s consumer.”

Sheffield City Council has invested £18 million in building the new market, and will manage it. For the last 800 years the city’s markets have been located at Castlegate, where footfall has been falling for many years due to the site’s relative isolation on the edge of the city centre.

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council said: “The new Moor Market signals a major reshaping of Sheffield’s city centre retail offer, by relocating the main markets from their traditional home on Castlegate to a new location in the heart of the consolidated shopping area on The Moor.

“Our investment in the market demonstrates our confidence in The Moor and the city centre, and it will be a real boost to independent retail in the area. It’s been thrilling watching a new landmark take shape, and there’s been a real buzz about the market even before it opens.”

Kerri Hunter, Deputy Fund Manager at SWIPPT said: “The Moor is an integral part of Sheffield’s new city centre retail core and we are working towards creating an area that provides a quality retail and leisure environment as well as an evening economy, which will increase dwell time and so extend shopping hours. Sheffield is a UK Top 5 city and deserves a vibrant city centre. SWIPPT is committed to working with Sheffield City Council and other partners to ensure this is delivered over the coming years.”

Bowmer & Kirkland was the contractor on the scheme.

St Paul’s Place Sheffield images / information from Leslie Jones Architecture

Location: The Moor Market, Cumberland Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S1 4PF, UK

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About Leslie Jones Architecture

Leslie Jones is a leading architecture firm best known for its retail and leisure expertise. The imaginative and experienced team of designers and architects has a creative approach to retail schemes that enhance the value and performance of clients, whilst providing a positive contribution to surrounding communities.

Recent projects include The Moor Market for Sheffield City Council and SWIPPT, the London Designer Outlet in Wembley for Quintain and the regeneration of Southside, Wandsworth.

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