A new high-end opticians has opened in a former Paperchase store on a Sheffield shopping street undergoing a major renovation. <br />Boots Opticians has taken over the building once used by Paperchase on Fargate following a £600,000 refurbishment project. It is an expansion of the service provided by the opticians which was previously based inside a nearby Boots store.<br /><br />It also represents the first new shop opening on Fargate since the completion of improvement works which have seen new paving, landscaping, planting and seating installed.<br /><br />Work on a new £7m events hub is due to start later this year, and a new pub is expected to open in the former Yorkshire Bank building this summer.<br /><br />Franchise owner David Blenkinsop said: “After 14 years here we are excited to be staying, growing, and investing in Fargate. Our new store keeps us in the heart of everything and is a major vote of confidence in the street.”<br /><br />The new shop has been funded in part by a £35,000 ReNew grant from Sheffield Council, which helps businesses renovate empty shops and underused spaces.<br /><br />Coun Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “I’m thrilled to be able to welcome Boots Opticians to Fargate signalling yet another vote of confidence in the transformation we have brought to the popular street.<br /><br />“With that regeneration work coming to an end, Fargate will be able to continue being the busy, thriving place it has always been."
