We see a lot of commentary online, on social media and in response to our posts or those of others, from individuals about how rubbish our town centre is now (since Cole Brothers closed, seemingly). In fact on our walks around the city to promote the new hub we also hear people say that there isn’t anything to go into the city for now. Well we whole heartedly disagree! Not only is your city busy all the time but there is so much to do here that you’d probably find it hard to not come into town everyday if you look hard enough.
Let’s begin with the shops, it feels like some people define our city by how many big name stores we have here and now that Cole Brothers (John Lewis to others) and Debenhams have closed it feels like some people think that our city is now closed, the reason they closed their doors was because they could make more money selling online, let’s be honest. Sheffield shops are varied and different, there are independents galore from Bookshops like La Biblioteka, Juno Books and Forbidden Planet to everyday food stores like Iceland, Sainsbury’s and Lidl. Yes there are plenty of coffee shops, they are all very different, there is the hustle and bustle of Cambridge Street Collective, Sheffield Plate and Kommune (soon to become Department). There is H&M, M&S and TK Maxx. If you are into your sports and outdoors there is Blacks (soon becoming Go Outdoors), Up and Running and Decathlon. Buying music too from HMV, yes it is still there at the bottom of Fargate.
Then we have the entertainment, whether it be by day or by night, its amazing how many live venues putting on shows and music are in your city centre. The City Hall & Memorial Hall we all know and love. The Crucible and Lyceum and the smaller Playhouse attached to the Crucible. There is the Library theatre that puts on some occasional racy burlesque and amateur plays. The newly refurbished Montgomery Theatre can be found opposite the Town Hall. With 4 prominent Cinemas in our town centre you’ll be spoilt for choice, The Light and Odeon showing all the big blockbusters and the Curzon and Showroom show more specialist titles including opera and the Showroom is home to ShAFF the film festival.
There are art galleries, the Millennium Gallery, the Greaves at the top of the Central Library is still going strong, the Site Gallery and smaller unique galleries like Pete McKee gallery on Cambridge Street. Events are happening all the time in the City Centre, this month and every March it’s the Festival of the Outdoors, there is the Food Festival in May, the Sheffield Grand Prix cycle race in July. The Half Marathon and Sheffield 10k all start in the City Centre.
Live music cannot be forgotten too, with the iconic Leadmill, Sydney & Matilda and Corporation all playing a varied mix of live bands. Hoping to be joined once again by the O2 soon. Notwithstanding all the unique smaller gigs going off all over our city centre.
For a night out our City is home to a multitude of restaurants and bars, there are so many it’s difficult to pick out some but to name a few here include the local names like Cambridge Street Collective, Mamas & Leonies, Ego and Streetfood Chef. But for chain restaurants that don’t include McDonalds or Burger King you can find The Botanist, Piccolinos, Pizza Express and the restaurants in Leopold Square like Zizi’s. If you are looking for games to play Roxy Bar, Boom Bar, Common Room and Arrowsmiths at Bungalow & Bears offer entertainment that requires a pool cue or sheaf of darts. The classic pubs still exist in the town centre too it’s not all fancy young discotheques (tongue firmly in cheek) The Roebuck, Globe, Red Lion and Howard can still be found on Charles Street and Howard Street, the Red Deer is still behind the University and the institution that is Fagans still stands overlooking Broad Lane. The Rutland Arms still maintains that prominent position on the corner of Brown Street.
“Well I’m not interested in all that”, sigh, I hear the chorus from those un-social-media types. Well that is just scratching the surface! Get fit and feel good at Ponds Forge, The Gym, Hotpod Yoga and The Turkish Baths all available so you can sweat it out or chillout. There are also loads of Churches to cleanse your spirit, Sheffield is home to two Cathedrals, a grand Methodist Hall and a multitude of smaller venues where you can contemplate life, being and all things peaceful in the world.
What about taking in a breathe of fresh air or getting the kids entertained with a trip to Pounds Park, the Peace Gardens fountain is always fun in summer and then there are pocket parks to discover like Nursery Street, Matilda Street and not forgetting the Frisbee playing zone on Devonshire Green that happens to also be home to the skate park in the city. How can we forget the iconic Winter Gardens too, it’s all in the name.
If you stopped visiting the City Centre during the pandemic and you feel there is nothing to tempt you back I challenge you to try, you'll be amazed at what is right here in your City and the varied and exciting small local businesses making your City come alive.
By far the best way to enjoy all this is to either cycle or take the bus into your City, don’t worry about finding a parking space and have a wander through your City and discover what it truly has to offer. Our Sheffield City Centre Cycle Hub is open 24/7 so it doesn’t matter what time the gig finishes you’ll still be able to collect your bike in a well lit safe environment and if you get caught short there are even toilets too! Get more from your City enjoy it!
If you do want the shops, Meadowhall Shopping Centre is there with all the big names and you can even park your bicycle securely there too in our hub at the interchange all included in the price of a monthly pass of £5.
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