Favourite Things: Raising a glass to good design, fashion and food

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

This Ecclesall Road sandwich bar is more like a café. I love it because they will do me anything: a special might be chilli or chicken curry. I love spicy things for breakfast because the majority of my physical work is done in the morning – normally too early for me to have breakfast. The hard work done, I head to Spoilt for Choice for scrambled eggs with egg whites, grilled tomatoes, turkey slices and beans – or those spicy specials. Lots of people in my line of work do the same thing and we all meet there: tradespeople, decorators… it reminds me of the bar in the sitcom Cheers – if you sit there long enough you will see everyone you know!

WORKS S7

This amazing building off Abbeydale Road is filled with studios, offices and workshops with lovely old features like exposed brickwork, beams and old ladders leaning against the walls. My friend Germaine runs JuiceToYou, and my associates James Clarke from SDP Properties and Sam Lee of CC Shine – the most amazing domestic and commercial cleaners I use for all my jobs – are here. It’s such a sociable atmosphere.

STYLE BAR

Run by the Hatfield family in Blenheim Tower at Banner Cross precinct, the staff are amazing ‘can-do’ people and there is a great atmosphere. I can get walk-in appointments and they serve cocktails and Prosecco while you have your treatments. Tea comes with Lindor chocolates and sometimes I have another coffee just so I can have more biscuits! It is the only place in Sheffield I know where you can have all your treatments simultaneously, so it is ideal for busy working women. You can have a manicure, pedicure and blow dry all at the same time – and they love my dog Honey, so there is someone to babysit! I always leave feeling a million dollars and enjoy the compliments afterwards.

VAMP

I have never been into this Abbeydale Road fashion boutique and come out empty-handed. It is perfect for affordable, fabulously different what I call Friday night wear. They will also order you items in bespoke, like a black shirt dress I snapped up in bright pink for my holidays. That’s service!

DORE RECREATION GROUND

This is my ‘me time’ first thing in the morning and when I get home from work. My back gate opens straight onto the rec’s three different fields, a lovely, clean open space I feel so lucky to have literally on my doorstep. All my neighbours seem to walk their dogs too and now we take turns if any of us are out at work. It’s so sweet to see them run to each other’s houses ‘to wait’ for their friends!

CHAMPAGNE BAR AT ST PAULS

I chose this because it’s so ‘glam’ and has a London feel to it with the beautiful view out to the Heart of the City. The cocktail bar is on the right as you walk through the lobby, with its plush seating and stools at the bar. It is the only place like it in Sheffield, and we are so lucky to have it.

JH MANN’S FISH SHOP

This is a gem on Sharrowvale Road. Not only do they do amazing fish from the Manchester fish market, but on a Saturday, owner Christian Szurko may even cook for you in a ‘pop-up’ restaurant style. Fish with a lovely glass of wine from Jane Cummins at Olive and Vine Wines next door and fresh bread from Seven Hills Bakery across the road – heaven. He only does it if he’s not too busy and I really love the fact that you never know what you are going to get!

ARUNDEL STREET

The buildings on here are beautiful reminders of old Sheffield. The Niche nightclub is no longer there, but there is a Street Food Chef and I go there for the excellent tacos – quick, healthy and value for money: the best Mexican in Sheffield. My friend Danny Broomhead runs Arundel Joinery there. I love his wonderful workshop full of the traditional sawdust where he creates beautiful bespoke furniture, doors and windows for national period properties. We share the same values.