Meadowhall Interchange rail platforms opened on 21 March 1994. The section of line from Meadowhall to Fitzalan Square, in the city centre, was the first phase of the network to open. Meadowhall Interchange was selected as the initial site for Sheffield's High Speed 2 station, with a high-level viaduct station planned to be constructed parallel to the M1 motorway's Tinsley Viaduct adjacent to the mainline station. However, these plans were eventually dropped, with plans for High Speed 2 services to instead serve Sheffield station in the city centre. As part of the plans for High Speed 2, proposals were put forward for
Meadowhall (shopping centre) "Meadowhell" among many local people. One of Meadowhall's largest stores of the past was Sainsbury's, (Formerly located on Market Street) closed in July 2005 and was replaced by new Next and Primark stores in the summer of 2007. The large Sainsbury's store relocated to Crystal Peaks. There was a Namco Station arcade which closed in September 2007 after more than 15 years at the shopping centre. In December 2005, Meadowhall became home to the fifth Apple Store in the UK, and in late 2007, it became home to the third Puma Store in the UK after London and Glasgow. The