A multi-million pound makeover attracts more leading brands to one of the UK’s biggest shopping destinations

The way we shop is undergoing a revolution. For many today, it’s all about the ‘experience’ and there few destinations can match the welcome at Sheffield’s Meadowhall, one of the largest shopping centres in the country.

A £100million makeover has been completed transforming the centre into a leading fashion and lifestyle destination with more than 290 retailers including 34 new brands. There are 12,000 free parking places plus public transport links at the Meadowhall Passenger Transport Interchange (PTI) which runs local and regional bus, train and Supertram services.

Meadowhall already attracts leading shopping brands including Jack Wills, Joules, The White Company, as well as Victoria’s Secret and Reiss. One of the most significant new arrivals to Meadowhall is clothing store Flannels including established international designers to contemporary casual labels catering for men, women and children plus a variety of footwear and accessories.

Another headline arrival is leading fashion brand Joe Browns which opens its first UK store at Meadowhall. Joe Browns, founded in 1998 and usually only available online and through catalogues, can now be found on the shopping mall’s High Street with a range of original fashions and accessories for men and women. The brand’s autumn collection combines its signature style and colourful designs with the unique Joe Browns twist.

In October, the denim brand G-Star RAW opens its sixth UK standalone store at Meadowhall. The store stocks jeans, tops, jackets, shoes, and accessories for men and women, including a showcase of the brand’s most sustainable denim collection.

Meadowhall welcomes a number of food and drink outlets including Godiva Chocolatier & Café with its range of pastries, elegant petits gateaux and indulgent afternoon teas. The store is situated on the mall’s Upper High Street, leading into the Oasis Dining Quarter. There are more than 50 places to eat and drink at Meadowhall including popular casual dining brands Café Rizzoli, Yo! and Carluccio’s

Still to come at Meadowhall, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2015, is a £300million leisure hall which last year received Sheffield City Council planning committee approval. The proposals, submitted by joint owners British Land, will add 300,000 sq ft of leisure space to Meadowhall and create 1,550 new jobs.

The centre plays an important economic role in Sheffield. According to an independent report published in January 2016 by Consultants PwC, Meadowhall supports one job in every 100 in the area and contributes 1p in every £1 to the local economy. It also accounts for 18 per cent of the business rates collected in Sheffield. According to the same review, Meadowhall provides direct employment for an estimated 8,500 people annually, and has supported over 660 apprentices over the past five years. Meadowhall has invested £1.8million in community programmes over the last five years through cash contributions, time volunteering, in-kind donations and fundraising.

Meadowhall standard opening times are 10am-9pm Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday, the Oasis Dining Quarter and Vue Cinema are open later each day. Find out more at meadowhall.co.uk.