Shop owner at Fargate Container Park pleased with opening days

A shop owner in Fargate’s new container park has reacted positively to the first few days of business after months of delays.

Jo Maycock, owner of JAM Artworks, said: “It’s been really good and positive since we opened. 

“It’s also been really pleasing to see so many people here considering we haven’t officially launched yet.”

JAM Artworks opened last Saturday

After multiple delays, the containers opened for business on Saturday October 22 and are now showcasing some of Sheffield’s local businesses, including Get Wurst, FAT MEX and Clapping Seoul. 

Ms Maycock said: “The wait to open didn’t affect me as I was employed somewhere else, but I can understand why people were getting frustrated, even though we weren’t to blame.

“It’s just great to see the public beginning to visit us and the other local businesses who I’m sure were eager to get set up here too.”

JAM’s Sheffield-themed badges and coasters

Many Sheffield residents had grown tired of waiting for the containers to open, with other Facebook commenters labelling the new addition as an “expensive eyesore”, and a “waste of money”.

The site, which cost £446,000, was paid for by central government grants via the Get Britain Building fund.

Sheffield City Council announced the new containers will not affect this year’s Halloween and Christmas events, although lighting-up times will be reduced as the city is facing around £18 million in budget cuts. 

The containers are not a permanent feature of Fargate and are set to move around the city. Councillor Mazher Iqbal told the Star that the attraction could be dismantled within a couple of months.

In his statement to the Star, Councillor Iqbal said: “It’s there. It’s not moving after Christmas. It will be there for months. I think the confusion has been because of the future High Street plans and people have gotten worried.”