Wicker Gateway ready to shine

An Old Run down Building sits on Spital Hill right next to the Wicker – The developer has rightfully decided to make a move and has appointed acclaimed local Architects AXIS to come up with a design to bring the building and the district to life . Fantastic Amazing Wonderful news .This is the Gateway to the City Centre – Ignored for Decades – Lets make sure that this Development kick starts The Renaissance of and around the Wicker Arches which should be the Landmark that Welcomes people to The City Centre .In any major Europe City The Wicker and its wonderful Arches would be a jewel in the Crown .Whilst we have made progress in certain parts of the city what has happened since the 1960s in other parts of Sheffield is lamentable .The city centric approach of SCC in recent years at times questionable when the potential of inner city has been in plain view but often ignored so that Flagship projects got priority and resources .We can now address the forgotten bits and the Wicker can now be a very special place . Seamless links in to Kelham Riverside one way and Victoria Quays  and Castlegate minutes away . All these places have outstanding merit and the district has so much more allure than The Moor or the Retail quarter …Look at York – the Shambles is six feet wide and because of it YORK is packed 365 days a year . Sheffield can be so much more than it is ..It just has to push the boundaries of its imagination and get a little bit show biz !!! Some of the Old Buildings remain in sound physical condition but clearly need a good scrub and a lick of paint and some including the old sawmill need knocking down to open up the aspect of the |River and the possibilities of creating a better landscape .So many of these buildings can be revitalised for example The SADACCA building can become a very special Cultural centre .The community is already working hard on Music and cultural initiatives and the Wicker is already home to some incredible eateries . We were down there last Thursday for a Jazz night and the performance was World Class –It was Buzzing ,exciting exhilarating …. What more do we want than a vibrant cool inner city happening theatre of place .The Infrastructure around the Wicker is already sorted and the Logistics and transport links are fantastic . There are enough Hotels in the immediate vicinity for Sheffield to support the potential of creating a tourism hub around Castlegate and up to Norfolk Park .There is no excuse now to ignore the Old Town Hall a moment longer and any development around Fitzalan Square and the Victoria Quays should be wholeheartedly and enthusiastically backed with Enthusiasm and hard Cash . Now is also the time to support a “METRO LINE” from City Centre to Stocksbridge –long overdue and a must have addition to the City .