Star1Feb05

=Happy together=

The Star 1st Feb 2005
A new survey claims life is on the up for the people of Sheffield's Burngreave district. Fiona Firth spoke to residents to find out what things are really like.

MORE and more people are happy living on Burngreave, according to a new MORI study conducted on behalf of the New Deal for Communities - and it's difficult to find locals who disagree.

The estate has a suffered from crime - drive-by shootings and drug gang battles - but there's a strong, almost old-fashioned community feel to the Sheffield suburb.

A multicultural melting pot, the shopping areas of Spital Hill and Ellesmere Road are bustling with locals, many of them keen to stop for a friendly chat.

But all that could change, they fear, not by New Deal policies for regeneration but by city council plans to demolish existing businesses in favour of glossy new buildings and a supermarket. The master plan is scheduled to go before cabinet members in March.

Church of England deacon Dave Havard is a volunteer worker at the Ashram cafe and food shop on Spital Hill - once the site of the former Pinky's nightclub - and lives on the premises.

He said: "People are happy with the New Deal which has included setting up local groups to involve people in all aspects of development. But the council master plan to demolish so many of the buildings around here seems to go against all that.

"There's huge opposition to it. Most of the people here are just about breaking even but I can't see how many of us are going to be able to afford to come back into the planned new development. Nobody's against regeneration but our dream is to keep the old buildings and renovate them."

He added: "Burngreave has built up a reputation for good ethnic restaurants and shops. It's a multi-cultural area, pretty tolerant and there's not a lot of aggravation.

"The area around Ashram was a noted area for drug dealing and fights - someone was killed here when it was Pinky's - but that's all changed and it's pretty peaceful on the whole. The stuff that does still happen is gang-related and doesn't affect the rest of us."

Husband and wife Janet and Philip Biki, who run accessories store JB Hats and Things on Ellesmere Road, agreed.

"When anything happens here, it tends to get exaggerated," revealed Janet. "For example, a few weeks ago a man was knocked down near here and suddenly there were several police cars and talk of a drive-by shooting. In fact it was just a road accident.

"Generally, though, the people who live and work here are quite happy. Most people are in favour of the New Deal - the people behind it are doing their best to improve things."

Philip added: "To me, it's a good community and I think people feel safer since the New Deal started. There are people patrolling around to make the area more secure and there are fewer fights than there used to be."

Pensioner Jean Pickering, of Bressingham Road, recalled: "At one time there was a lot of trouble with druggies in the area where I live but it's quiet now. The whole area is better than it was. It's been cleaned up and is starting to look much better."

Raja Saddiq has run a supermarket on Spital Hill since 1977 and, like most people, has mixed feelings about changes to the area.

"This is a mixed ethnic area and people are happy with the community and with the New Deal but we are waiting to find out what will happen with the planned shops development. The council's plans affect 15 to 16 shops - what will happen to them? People are not happy with the plans we have heard about so far."

Ahmed Wairah, who runs the nearby discount shop, added: "The area has become safer since the New Deal came in and I would say that people are happy. The only fear is what will happen with the planned re-development of shops - what we'd like are more jobs for local people."

Pat Pearce, from Ellesmere Bakery, does not live in the area but said: "Most people who come in here seem to like living here, It's clean - Street Force are always out clearing up here, though the backs of the shops could do with some attention. I like it round here and the people seem happy enough - but they want to know what's happening about the planned demolition."