Spital Hill shops have been facing difficulties recently with the road closure, parking measures, police activity and masterplanning confusions. Local businesses are angry that the Council has put up ‘Spital Hill closed’ signs even through all the shops remain open as normal.
John from Andreas the hairdressers said: “This makes me very cross, many of my customers who come from outside the area are being turned away, I think that we need a rates rebate from the Council in compensation”. Spital Hill Plaza tenants complain that it is the changed bus routes that have slashed the number of customers. We went to talk to three local businesses about Spital Hill, their busineses and their plans for the future.
Hobson’s Family Butchers
by Brent Moya
While many businesses have come and gone in Burngeave, there’s one that has always remained prominent. Set up in 1972, Hobson Family Butchers was opened by the now late George Hobson. His son Keith Hobson, who was 27 when it opened, now runs the business. “Me and me father set it up and I inherited it from him in 1982,” commented Keith.
Keith specialises in a large range of meats. Wondering what types he told me “everything, Halal, chicken, beef you name it I can fetch it!!”
Although he has never lived in Burngreave, Keith has seen a lot of comings and goings over the years. Looking back Keith recalled “There was Winston’s, a handyman shop, a bank, shoe shops, a dentist, everything. You could walk down this road and buy anything.”
“It used to be a lot nicer,” Keith went on to explain, “A lot of good customers have left the area”. Other problems have recently surfaced from the fact that there was no longer any convenient parking space, “The parking restrictions are a problem,” he said, “As well as the recent change in bus routes complicating customer access.”
As we talked I watched as Keith laughed and joked with another of his customers and it became clear to me that he is very popular with his regulars.
I asked the future might hold for Keith and his business. “No immediate plans at the minute. There’s not really enough scope for expansion at present, what with the change in public transport and the various changes occurring in Burngreave.”
Shaking hands with Keith as I left, it became clear to me that he had achieved great respect for his continued dedication to Burngreave. Keith Hobson’s Family Butchers is open Monday to Friday 9.30am–5.00pm.
The 1–4 Style
by Claire Berry
Rainbow House was set up by Burngreave Problem Busters (BPB) with the aim of providing better quality shops for the area.
In July 2005, BPB moved to the new Rainbow House, on Gower Street, formerly Bobby G’s Gower Domestics, offering space in the building to new local businesses. One such business is ‘1–4 Style’ owned by local resident, Ingrid Graham. Ingrid was one of only two people from South Yorkshire to win a Business Sponsorship Award from SENTA. 1–4 Style sells watches, jewellery, handbags, belts and men’s, ladies’ and children’s urban clothing.
“I got the inspiration from a family member who urged me to launch my idea. I enjoy meeting new people and this is perfect,” said Ingrid. “From March we will be holding a Ladies’ Day, on every first Saturday of the month, there’ll be food and refreshments while you shop,” she added.
DJ and singing workshops are available now and Burgreave Community Radio is providing training in radio presenting. Rainbow House also hosts the Burngreave Drugs Project, 12 noon–4pm, on the last Monday of every month, where residents can speak in confidence about their situation.
To book a 1–4 Style accessories party and for your free hostess gift call 0776 015 3312. For information about Rainbow House call 0781 361 3782.
Laycocks announce retirement
by Reuben Vincent
Keith Laycock, the owner of the long-running jewellers, horologists (watchmakers) and pawnbrokers on Spital Hill, is retiring later this year.
Keith has worked in the family business for nigh on 54 years. It was set up in 1924 by his father, and Keith began working there at the age of 16. He studied engineering at the Central Technical School, and then gained his fellowship of the British Horological Institute aged 21, and his fellowship of the Gemmological Association at 30. Keith is one of very few people to have brought these two quite different trades together. “I’m quite rare!” he laughed. More recently, he has been joined in the shop by his wife, Barbara, and an assistant, Becky.
During Keith’s many years in Burngreave he has very active in the long-term regeneration of Spital Hill.
“Some years ago now, I was involved in the Pitsmoor Action Traffic Group, in which I worked for the enforcement of a one-way traffic system in Spital Hill, in an effort to allow hugely increased parking facilities, allowing Spital Hill to grow as a shopping and commercial centre.”
Keith told me of how much he has seen Spital Hill change over the years.
“If you could imagine looking down Spital Hill towards The Wicker from my shop, it was all back-to-back housing and it was really a fantastic, thriving place.There was a leather shop, a cinema, a superstore and much more.The start of the end of that era came with the redevelopment of Andover Street – all the shops were demolished and rebuilt.”
Keith spoke to me of where he felt the regeneration of Spital Hill was now.
“Unfortunately, I really can’t see Spital Hill being back to what it was anytime soon.There just isn’t any money left in the pot. More car parking and bus shelters are needed.The proposed Hartwell site for the new supermarket is too far out of the way to be any use in the process. I really thought that, with the Masterplan, Spital Hill might get a much needed facelift, but it’s clear we really are a long way from any such thing happening now. I would have stuck around to see it through if I could see it happening in the next few years, but I just can’t. It’s certainly a shame to leave it like this.”
On a brighter note, however, we talked about the many good times he, Barbara and Becky have had in their time there.
“One day my father was carrying a granddaughter clock (5ft rather than 6ft) back to the shop for a repair. As he was doing so, someone shouted to him, in a typical Yorkshire accent,‘Thou wanst to get a wrist watch son, you’ll find it easier!’
“We really have had some good times here and we’ve built up some great relationships with our customers over the years, which we shall miss.Yes, it will be a great shame to leave it all behind, but I guess you have to stop somewhere!”
We both agreed on how, if the business is not sold to someone else who would continue it, then his departure would be a great loss for the area.
“We manufacture and repair everything from grandfather clocks to quartz watches.We help customers in the design of rings and other jewellery allowing them to have a say in what they’re getting. I have friends and customers who come from all over the country to consult me. There are very few shops that provide such a service in Spital Hill anymore.”
Whatever happens, he and Barbara are sure to be busy in their retirement.
“We have a son in Spain and a daughter in Luxembourg, so when I’m not sailing or playing golf or one of my other sporting pastimes, we’ll be able to go and spend more time with them.”
I’m sure you’ll join me in wishing everyone at Laycock’s the very best for whatever the future holds. Their retirement sale is now on, with up to 50% off, so get down there soon before a memorable era comes to an end.
Spital Hill’s future?
by Clare Burnell
I went to the December Spital Hill Project Group meeting to find out the latest on the Council’s plans for the area. The idea for an Employment Zone in the Kashmir/Lion works triangle is starting to take shape, and the council are buying the Murco garage site for extra parking with possibility of developing an indoor market. There are plans for a big supermarket on the Hartwell site with possibly a new square linking it to Spital Hill and improved parking. The old people’s home on Ellesmere Green is being knocked down in March, to make way for new family homes. There are plans for a new car park next to the Awlfuul Café, for Vestry Hall users, though it will be used for the Vestry Hall site huts first – where work on the building will start on 27th February.