'Sheffield's cool and trendy suburbs could lead the way for the rest of the city'
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
For too long our High Streets have been beholden to the whims of major corporate chains and international brands
It’s been great seeing two of Sheffield’s buzzing suburbs spotlighted in the last week.
Crookes and Sharrow Vale are both known for their independent businesses and buzzy, vibrant atmospheres - so it’s no surprise to me that they have been recognised both locally and globally as ‘must visit’ locations.
Anything we can do as a city to promote these businesses, and the people who live locally that run them, has got to be seen as a good thing.
For too long our High Streets have been beholden to the whims of major corporate chains and international brands.
Look where that has got us.
Ghost streets with boarded up fronts, premium retail destinations such as Fargate a shadow of its former self and more of the same around each corner.
The fact that well-paid executives with no knowledge of the area get to make decisions on where they place shops or cut jobs is a sad indictment of how much power the big boys in retail occupy.
But there is another way of filling our empty shops.
And Sharrow Vale and Crookes, on admittedly a smaller scale, show us that way in practice.
Independent, one-off unique businesses being supported by the residents around them is a wonderful thing to see. It keeps more money in the local economy, gives an area a sense of identity and overall makes for a vibrant and energetic area to live and work.
Of course, I’m not saying our shopping spaces don’t need the big names.
Often these are what draw people into a shopping precinct or street, but it’s the unique offering that can be found in the same places that often make them different to a street in any other UK city.
Crookes being listed on Time Out’s “coolest neighbourhoods” list is truly a great accolade. I’ve lived in Leith, Edinburgh, before and received similar gongs. I have seen what that can do for areas as tourists who wouldn’t ordinarily visit those suburbs add it to their lists to see what all the fuss is about.
The Time Out entry reads: “Much like Sheffield, this little suburb is not flashy or fussy…” There’s a lesson in that for the whole of Sheffield to consider...
And the fact that locally, Sharrow Vale has been described as Sheffield’s Notting Hill counterpart shows that when we give businesses space to grow, they can flourish, for the betterment of all.
Surely there’s more that can be done on business rates and rents in order to encourage these popular streets to grow and evolve to other parts of our great city, stimulating growth and keeping money in our own economy.
The pounds you spend at a local business rather than chain is then spent in another local business, and another and another, and so on. There’s a chain reaction.
So let’s make a pact, Sheffield.
Let’s stop being scared to be “flashy and fussy”. Our understated demeanour is why people often fall in love with Sheffield, but it isn’t the best way to shout about our success. Our musical heritage and being the home of football spring to mind here.
And when we’re shopping for those birthday gifts, that new item for our home or looking for somewhere new to eat out - let’s think of our locals.
You never know, if enough of us opt in to supporting the people of Sheffield, then these trendy neighbourhoods may spread and grow to other parts of our city, including the city centre!