Sheffield's independent businesses highlighted in new guidebook

Sheffield Bid manager Diane Jarvis with the This Is Sheffield guide.

This is Sheffield features more than 100 firms and is designed to promote the diverse range of specialist traders in and around the city centre.

The 188-page guide was drawn up by Sheffield Business Improvement District, or Bid, and includes a map of the area and an overview of the various sectors such as food and drink, retail, arts and making.

Bid manager Diane Jarvis said: "The city centre has so many hidden treasures that this guide is a must for everyone - even if they have lived and worked here all their lives.

“We’re thrilled to have produced the guide which is a great opportunity to showcase the independent sector and includes some really interesting facts and figures as well as stories from the city’s makers and doers.

“Sheffield’s independent businesses are an important part of the local economy. This guide will clearly identify these businesses by signposting their locations allowing visitors and residents to easily reference and find them.

"We hope that this will benefit all our independent businesses, especially those not in clear view, operating on small margins or unable to invest in advertising.”

CollardManson, owners Zara and Tim have restored the servants quarters for a former Bishops residence to create a unique boutique

The photo-filled book, which has also been translated into Mandarin, gives an overview of what the city centre offers to visitors, residents, students, employees and investors alike.

Stories include the cafe owner who serves theatre stars, an architect who fell in love with Sheffield’s modernist buildings, and a gallery chief who finds inspiration in the city’s energy and ambition.

Bid will distribute 15,000 printed copies of the A5 guide through the tourist information centre, hotels, visitor attractions, tour operators and other regional outlets.

It was put together with the help of the team behind the Our Favourite Places guide at Eleven Design.

Claire and Tim Nye opened Marmadukes in 2012

Claire Thornley said: “Our Favourite Places was delighted to collaborate with Sheffield Bid on the This is Sheffield guidebook.

"We are committed to raising the profile of our unconventionally beautiful and creative city and celebrating the unique and independent places that can be found here.

"The book is a snapshot of our vibrant city centre and we hope that people enjoy reading it and discovering some of their own favourite places."

An online version can be viewed and downloaded at https://issuu.com/sheffieldbid/docs/thisissheffield.