Information On The City Of Sheffield

Facts, Features, Whereabouts, Local Companies

Sheffield is a major City and is a borough of South Yorkshire in England. The name is derived from the river Sheaf which runs throughout the City. The City of Sheffield is historically a part of the West Ridings but with some of its southern areas separated from Derbyshire.

The City of Sheffield has a large economic base having grown from its industrial roots. The most famous industry that Sheffield is renowned for is that of manufacturing steel. In fact Sheffield was one of the largest manufacturers of steel up to around the late 1980’s where foreign competition and the collapse of the local coal mining industry caused a decline for demand.

Now, after many years of decline the Sheffield economy is going through a revival. With new business investments and the redevelopment of key commercial areas the Cities economy is growing again, and at a fast pace. In 2008 Sheffield was placed by the “UK Cities Monitor” as one of the top UK Cities to locate a business in.

The City of Sheffield is also a major hub for retail shopping. There are two main shopping areas worthy of mention; the Sheffield City Centre district including “The Moor” and “Fargate”, and also the fabulous Meadowhall Shopping Mall.

Other shopping areas that are popular with residents and visitors to this South Yorkshire City are “Orchard Square”, “Ecclesall Road”, the “Devonshire Quarter” and “Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre”.

Link Roads

The City of Sheffield links into the UK motorway network by the M1 and the M18.

The most direct route by motorway into the City is by way of the M1 which skirts the east side of the City. Major Cities linked by the M1 to Sheffield include Leeds and Manchester to the North and Nottingham, Leicester, and London to the South.

The M18 motorway connects Sheffield to Doncaster and Humberside, with easy connection to the Humber Ports and the East Coast.

The A621 from South Sheffield is one of the many routes to access neighbouring Derbyshire. Bakewell, Buxton, Castleton, Hathersage, and Hope, can all be reached with ease from Sheffield.

The major trunk roads that pass through the city are the A57 and the A61. These two roads run east to west and north to south respectively. The city also features an inner and outer ring road.

Tram Network

A tram network serves parts of the city allowing passengers an easy method of transport in addition to public buses and rail.

The network is called the “Sheffield Supertram” as is currently operated by “Stagecoach”. The tram network has three current lines; Meadowhall to Middlewood, Halfway to Malin Bridge, and Meadowhall to Herdings Park. All three lines pass through the City Centre.

Sporting Heritage

The City of Sheffield has a predominant sporting heritage. There are two football clubs based in Sheffield; Sheffield United F C and Sheffield Wednesday F C. In addition the city is home to “The Steelers” ice hockey team who play out of the Sheffield Arena Venue. Also playing out of this venue are the “Sheffield Sharks” basketball team.

For many years the city has also been the host for the World Snooker Championships, this being held at the famous “Crucible Theatre”. When it comes to sporting venues the city is fortunate to have the “Don Valley International Athletics Stadium”, the “Ponds Forge Swimming Centre”, the “Sheffield Ski Village”, and also the “Westfield Sports Complex” in the South side of the city close to Crystal Peaks and Halfway.

Theatres

The city is home to two main theatres; the “Crucible Theatre” and the “Lyceum”. Both make up one of the largest theatre complex's to be found outside London. The Lyceum serves to host plays and well know west end productions in addition to those produced locally. In addition to these two main theatres there are several smaller theatres located throughout Sheffield such as the “Merlin Theatre” in the district of Nether Edge.

Visitor Attractions

This South Yorkshire city has many attractions including “The Mapping Art Gallery”, “Botanical Gardens”, “Peace Gardens”, “Weston Park Museum”, the “Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet”, “Shepherd’s Wheel”, and many more. It is also home to many leisure parks including “Rother Valley Country Park”, “Chelsea Park”, Millhouses Park”, “Graves Park” to name a few.

The city also has its high profile shopping centres as well as all round entertainment venues. These comprise cinemas, restaurants, public houses, and nightclubs. Valley Centertainment is a large entertainment complex in the Don Valley industrial area of Sheffield. Located on land once occupied by engineering and steel works this complex houses several well know restaurant chains as well as a bowling alley and cinema house.

Popular with visitors of all ages the complex is an ideal place to visit especially at the weekend. Examples of restaurants currently available to visit are:

* Bella Italia

* Burger King

* Chiquito

* Flaming Dragon

* Frankie & Benny’s

* Nando’s

* Prezzo

* Subway

The bowling alley in the Valley Centertainment complex in Sheffield is one of the largest in Yorkshire comprising of twenty six bowling lanes. The bowling alley is open seven days a week for visitors.

The Cineworld cinema house is one of the largest in the UK with twenty screens in all. There is also an onsite bar / cafe area.

Local Companies

The following is a list of businesses and companies that have a presence in the City:

* Apple - apple products, iphone, ipod, ipad

* Arnold Laver - timber merchant

* Asda - supermarket

* Barclays Bank - financial services

* Bradwell Skip Services - skip hire

* B Braun - medical appliances supplier

* Capita - financial services

* Carphone Warehouse - supplier of mobile telephones

* Davymarkham Limited - construction engineering company