City Buzz: Hundreds enjoy a warm hygge hug

This week, a Sheffield hotel gave their guests the chance to do just that.

Around 200 people flocked to the hygge Christmas gift fair at Brocco on the Park hotel, Brocco Bank.

South Yorkshire-based independent retailers were there selling their products, some of which are used or on display in the hotel.

Friends Jo and Rhian, who run Derbyshire-based gift shop Kindred & Kind, brought some of their nature-inspired items from their store at The Stables, Renishaw Hall.

They sold an eclectic mix, from flowers to furniture, vintage finds, and a wonderful array of things for home or adventures in the great outdoors, including their Yorkshire blankets which can be found in the hotel’s rooms.

Laura Baxter of The Harley Gallery also brought her elegant and delicate jewellery range to Brocco’s resturant, the Neighbourhood Kitchen.

Laura creates some of the birds which can be found in trees around the hotel, where birds are a theme.

Manager of the refurbished Edwardian villa Tiina Carr said: “I did a similar event last year, but it was smaller. This year I wanted to make it a bit more focused on what visitors wanted this year.

“I always have people asking me where I get things from so I thought it would be a good idea to get the suppliers together.

“Not everything we sold was available in the hotel –some things just fitted with what the hotel is about.”

The hotel goes by the ethos ‘if it can be home-made, hand-picked or personalised, it will be’.

Tina added: “It was all about things that people could pick up for £30 and under.

“I wanted to create a cosy atmosphere. People seemed to really enjoy it and it was nice to see people catching up and getting into the Christmas spirit.”

City-based illustrator Johnathan Wilkinson also sold Sheffield-inspired prints from his ‘We Live Here’ collection.

The range of prints is all about celebrating the buildings and scenes that define where we live.

There were also products on offer from Chelsea Flower Show Gold Winner Alison Doxey, as well as Brocco-branded homeware items.

There are more events coming up at the hotel, including jewellery making next Tuesday, November 22, and cocktail making on November 29.

For more information about these events and more, visit Brocco

What is a hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that is a feeling or mood that comes from taking pleasure in making ordinary, every day things more meaningful, beautiful or special. Tiina said: “Think of a hygge as having a big warm Yorkshire cuddle. I’m looking at running the event again next year.”

Looking forward to Black Friday - a day dedicated to shopping

This time next week, one of our favourite shopping events will return - Black Friday.

Friday, November 25, will be a day dedicated to shopping. Retailers across the city - and indeed across the UK - will slash their prices and offer some fantastic promotions for one day only.

Black Friday is traditionally the first Friday after Thanksgiving in the USA. Most retailers open early and offer promotional sales to kick-off the holiday shopping season.

In recent years, the event has been growing in popularity in the UK. In 2014, people hit the shops but last year most seemed to prefer snapping up the bargains online from the comfort of their own homes.

We’re still waiting to find out exactly what the deals will be, but some city shops are already advertising their offers across a range of products.

Urban Outfitters will be offering up to 50 per cent of all their stock and Sheffield City Hall will be offering some online-only ticket offers.

New Pret store opening

Sheffield’s first Pret A Manger store is opening at Meadowhall today, creating more than 20 jobs.

The new branch is located on the Lower Arcade, next to Marks & Spencer. The company is now looking for a homeless charity for the new shop to partner with.

Erika Kuklova, manager of the new Pret in Sheffield, said, “We are thrilled to be opening a shop in the Meadowhall Shopping Centre and to start getting to know our new customers here.

“We’re currently looking for local charities to support through food donations each night, and would love to be contacted by any organisations who feel they could benefit from collecting fresh, unsold food from us in the evenings.”

Suggestions for suitable charities can be made by emailing [email protected]

Beauty and brains

The Body Shop team from Orchard Square Shopping Centre are joining forces with the Sheffield Virgin Money Lounge to offer an evening of pampering, products, games and sampling.

The event, between 5pm and 7pm next Thursday, November 24, will provide a chance to find out about the freshest glam Christmas looks ready for party season, and see a host of beautiful new gifts.

The last event proved very popular, so be sure to get your name down quickly to avoid disappointment.

E-mail [email protected] or call 0114 249 8262.

Pop-up vintage fair

A pop-up vintage fair will be held at the Moor Market this weekend.

The event will run all day on Saturday, and will be held at the Moor Markets , inside and out.

Organisers say there will ‘be tonnes of lovely stalls selling everything from vintage clothing and antique furniture to Sheffield-made gifts, local artisan pickles and retro phones’.

There are expected to be around 40 stalls on the day featuring retro, vintage, arts, crafts, artisan and antique wares.

Street food will also be available at the vintage market, and buskers will perform throughout the day for the crowds.