Let's get behind Summer in the Outdoor City which aims to show visitors the best Sheffield has to offer

Those who live here are well aware of the plethora of things such as its music scene, food and drink, cultural offering and more that make Sheffield so special.

It also has one of the highest student retention rates in the country, with the most recent figures showing that an estimated 42 per cent choose to stay in the city after they graduate.

Despite this, the perception that some have of Sheffield does not reflect the wide range of things it has to offer for people of all ages.

Hopefully the ‘Summer in the Outdoor City’ event, which runs from this month until September, will help to bring more people into the city, and to give people a true Sheffield experience.

It will offer music, art, theatre, market stalls plus food and drink traders, all in Covid secure events.

As part of ‘Summer in the Outdoor City’, a number of events and long term ambitions are planned.

An ‘Alfresco Avenue’ could be piloted on Division Street, closing parts of the road to create a semi-permanent zone for outdoor markets.

The ambition is to create a new market on the last Saturday of each month to create a safe space for customers to buy from independent businesses as well as temporary stalls and traders showcasing high quality, independent makers, artists, and street food traders to complement the permanent shops and cafes.

In addition, Sheffield Theatres has a long-term ambition to create a 'Covent Garden of Sheffield' – which would be a year-round attraction, in an area ripe for additional footfall and activity.

A European Piazza style space would have free events as well as pop-up food and markets.

The goal is to build a year-round tourist attraction that becomes the centrepiece of the city with family friendly and inclusive events.

In addition to enticing visitors, Summer in the Outdoor City also hopes to bring Sheffield residents back into the city centre.

And with such an exciting programme planned, it should hopefully succeed in both goals.

So let’s get behind it, and try and make this Sheffield summer the best yet.