Meadowhall through the years - 30 years of memories, from celeb visits and tea dances, to open-air concerts

"The inspiration for Meadowhall was the big malls in America,” reveals centre director, Darren Pearce.
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"When it opened its doors on September 4 1990, it heralded a new era for the region’s retail industry, with a brand new concept of shopping and leisure under one roof.

"You can see it on the footage from opening day – it was like a spaceship had landed in Sheffield, nobody had seen anything like it."

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This month marks 30 years since the centre opened its doors: the brainchild of its founder, billionaire Eddie Healey, who had the vision of bringing the American shopping experience to the steel city.

Meadowhall Television launched in the 90sMeadowhall Television launched in the 90s
Meadowhall Television launched in the 90s

His vision seemed to hit the mark.

"None of the other big regional centres existed at that time, so everything we did was unprecedented,” says Darren, who joined the centre in 1994.

"We had Catherine Zeta Jones opening the cinema, Bob Geldof opening HMV, Pavarotti meeting-and-greeting in the Oasis, and Simon Cowell switching on our Christmas lights.

"We were hosting book signings, live performances, and open-air concerts in the car park to thousands – it was unlike anything a shopping centre had done before.

Meadowhall Shopping Centre - opening by Sheila Gray of Handsworth - 4th September 1990Meadowhall Shopping Centre - opening by Sheila Gray of Handsworth - 4th September 1990
Meadowhall Shopping Centre - opening by Sheila Gray of Handsworth - 4th September 1990
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"In 1996 we even hosted the world premiere of ‘When Saturday Comes,’ with a big red carpet event, and stars including Sean Bean and Pete Postlethwaite.”

And behind the scenes, the centre’s team was working hard to build lasting partnerships, determined to integrate itself into the community it served.

In the early 90s, Meadowhall launched its now famous weekly tea dances, inviting the city’s older generation to drink tea, reminisce, and – of course – dance, to a live band in its Oasis.

In 1994, Meadowhall began working with its longest-standing charity partner, Since Support, offering it accommodation in its grounds – where it remains to this day – and supporting its work with bereaved families.

Meadowhall, three weeks before opening dayMeadowhall, three weeks before opening day
Meadowhall, three weeks before opening day
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In 2003, David Blunkett MP opened The Source Skills Academy a Meadowhall, which helps to facilitate apprenticeships at the centre for the local community.

In 2013, the centre partnered with the National Literacy Trust, an initiative which has seen thousands of books donated to local school children.

In 2016 it began supporting the Home Alone Christmas event, providing decorations, volunteers, and over 750 meal to some of the loneliest people in the region.

The centre has been a long-time supporter of the Royal British Legion, launching a dedicated pop-up shop in 2018 to help with fundraising, and that same year it joined forces with the British Heart Foundation, installing its famous Heart of Steel in the mall, to raise funds.

Pictured are Chelsea Pensioners John Helliwell (left) and John Riley (right) along with Joan Graham from the WAAF Association, opening the Meadowhall Poppy Shop as part of The Royal British Legions Annual Poppy AppealPictured are Chelsea Pensioners John Helliwell (left) and John Riley (right) along with Joan Graham from the WAAF Association, opening the Meadowhall Poppy Shop as part of The Royal British Legions Annual Poppy Appeal
Pictured are Chelsea Pensioners John Helliwell (left) and John Riley (right) along with Joan Graham from the WAAF Association, opening the Meadowhall Poppy Shop as part of The Royal British Legions Annual Poppy Appeal
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Meadowhall has also helped to raise nearly £90,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, housed The Children’s Hospital Charity’s ‘Herd of Sheffield’ in 2016, and hosted Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life annually since 2013.

"Meadowhall is a ‘people’ place,” Darren says simply.

"Our interaction with the community and our strongly embedded relationships with wider partners across the region is at the heart of absolutely everything we do.

"We have the space, the facilities, and the engagement initiative to say ‘let’s work in partnership and generate as much money as possible for your charity’.”

And – according to Darren – the centre works hard to ensure it echoes the local community – celebrating its achievements, pitching in when times are tough, and pioneering groundbreaking initiatives that help put the city on the map.

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"With so many local people working here, we truly are reflective of the community we serve, and that includes rallying through challenging times.

Meadowhall felt the impact of the 2007 floods along with the rest of the region - closing for six days as flood water invaded the centreMeadowhall felt the impact of the 2007 floods along with the rest of the region - closing for six days as flood water invaded the centre
Meadowhall felt the impact of the 2007 floods along with the rest of the region - closing for six days as flood water invaded the centre

“2007 was one of those times,” he adds, referring to the floods that hit the city.

"Much like the pandemic that we’re living through now, we didn’t plan for it, there was no blueprint for how to deal with it, but our staff rallied, as they always do.

"I think it was telling that, when the floodwater returned in 2019, people who found themselves stranded were making their way to Meadowhall, because they saw it as a safe haven and they knew we’d look after them.

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"We gave people food, blankets, and found them places to sleep.

"I personally drove a family with a young baby to the Kenwood Hotel.

"Whenever things have gotten tough, our staff gets creative, they help us to survive, and we all set our sights on getting back to the good times again

"That incredible sense of camaraderie is my main takeaway as we mark 30 years.”

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In 2015 Meadowhall became the first shopping centre in the UK, and one of only 17 buildings in Europe, to receive a BREEAM outstanding award for sustainable building management.

“That’s the culmination of so many important things,” explains Darren.

"We have 3,418 solar panels on our roof, 57 electric car charging points on-site, LED lights in the mall, and a rainwater harvesting tank that flushes all the toilets and waters all the plants in the centre.

"In the last 11 years, we have managed to reduce our energy consumption by 55 per cent, which is incredible.”

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And that’s not the only way in which Meadowhall is pushing forward, and breaking new ground.

In 1992 it became the first UK shopping centre to pioneer Sunday trading.

Three years later, it became the first to introduce late night Christmas shopping until 10pm.

"We’ve been first and groundbreaking with a lot of things,” confirms Darren.

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"In the early days of Sunday trading, people said it would never work, that we’d be abandoning it soon, but it’s now our busiest day by hour of any in the week.”

As the centre marks its monumental birthday, Darren reveals it is with a great sense of pride that he looks to the next chapter.

"I genuinely never thought I’d still be here 26 years on,” he grins.

"This place is special, it draws you in, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved since those doors swung open that first day, and the public rushed in.

"I can’t wait to see what’s next.”