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Sheffield obtained world wide recognition during the 19th century for its production of steel. In recent times Sheffield has grown from its largely industrial roots to encompass a wide economic base. The population of the city of Sheffield is estimated at 525,000 people and it is one of the eight largest English cities outside London.
The beginning of the 21st century has seen extensive redevelopment in Sheffield. The city’s GVA has increased by 60 per cent over recent years. The overall economy experienced steady growth averaging around 5 per cent annually and, as such, has been growing at a higher rate than has been experienced in Yorkshire and the Humber in general.
Sheffield has two major theatres, the Lyceum and the Crucible Theatre which together with the smaller Studio Theatre make up the largest theatre complex outside London.
There are four major art galleries, including the modern Millennium Galleries which is an outstanding venue for art and design, right in the heart of the city and linked to the stunning Winter Garden. It is famed for large blockbuster exhibitions that bring masterpieces from national galleries and museums to the city, alongside innovative contemporary and historical design.
Sheffield is a major retail centre, and home to many high street and department stores as well as designer boutiques. The main city centre shopping areas are on The Moor precinct, Fargate Orchard Square and the Devonshire quarter.
Sheffield has an exceptional variety and range of pubs, bars and restaurants.
There is a large student population and the city caters for them with some excellent club nights offering a diverse range of dance music and internationally renowned DJs.
Live music venues in the city include the Leadmill and the Carling Academy Sheffield which opened in April 2008.
Sheffield has a long sporting heritage. In 1857 a collective of cricketers formed the world’s firstever official football club, Sheffield F.C. There are now two professional clubs, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday, both seeking a return to top flight football from the Championship. Sheffield also has close ties with snooker and the city’s Crucible Theatre is the annual venue for the World Snooker Championships.
Many of Sheffield’s extensive sporting facilities were built for the World Student Games, which the city hosted in 1991. They include the Don Valley International Athletics Stadium which is the largest athletics stadium in the UK with a capacity of 25,000, Sheffield Arena, and Ponds Forge international diving and swimming complex. The Sheffield Ski Village is one of the largest artificial skiing facilities in Europe.
Despite its urban nature, 61% of Sheffield is classed as greenspace. In the iconic Winter Garden, neighbouring Peace Gardens and Sheffield Botanical Gardens the city provides an unrivalled selection of public spaces.
Sheffield is linked into the national motorway network via the M1 and M18 motorways. The M1 skirts the north-east of the city, linking Sheffield with London to the south and Leeds to the north. Sheffield has excellent train links with more than one direct train to London running every hour and the journey taking less than two and a half hours.
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