Christmas is looking to be as busy as ever for many of Sheffield's independents

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

With less than a week to go until the big day, there’s no denying that the people of South Yorkshire are feeling cautiously festive, and inside the Sharrow Vale Road bakery, staff are working furiously to fill orders.

"We’re doing really well,” confirms owner Laura Bullock.

“We’re really lucky that everyone has been super supportive, and that we’ve been able to manage, adapt, and keep going."

And while it’s not exactly business as usual, the sight of shelves filled with brie and mulled pear mayo, spiced bread, mince pies, and cranberry, pistachio, and white chocolate fudge – not to mention the heavenly scent of fresh roast pork, bacon jam, and chestnut stuffing sandwiches wafting through the building – is very welcome.

“We’re open every day right up until Christmas Eve, serving Christmas sandwiches, and all kinds of baked goods,” says Laura.

"We’ve got breads, cakes, Christmas hampers, and fruit and veg boxes, and while we’ll be open for walk-ins, I’d recommend ordering if you’re wanting to guarantee something.

"Our last day for orders is this Saturday.”

Down the road at Roneys of Sheffield, owner Craig Bell has already sold out of turkeys and chickens.

"It’s been a long, hard year, and though things are going okay this Christmas, orders are rather small compared with other years, though obviously people aren’t having big gatherings, so it’s to be expected,” he says.

"Supplies are hard to come by too, there just aren’t enough small turkeys for all these smaller gatherings.

"I’ve sold out of turkeys and chickens already, so we’re still selling beef, pork, and lamb.

"We’ll be here until 12pm on Christmas Eve if people want to stop in and see us.”

Over at Whirlow Hall Farm, it’s been a busy December, with people from all across the region calling in to order their Christmas essentials.

"Like everyone else, the team at Whirlow Hall Farm Trust will be very glad to see the back of 2020,” says chief executive Ben Davies.

"But despite a difficult year, we’ve been really heartened that so many folk have chosen to buy their trees, turkeys and pigs-in-blankets from us this year - we’ve had more orders than ever before.

"That’s probably the result of a number of things – our butchery and shop serving customers throughout lockdown, our new online and delivery service, and a growing appreciation of local produce.

"There’s no doubt that the farm team walking the turkeys out to the fields each morning and back to the barn in the evening has been a great advert for how we do things at the Trust.’

“We’re really excited that this year, in addition to our home-reared meat and goodies from local producers, we also have our wonderful storybook about Spirit the donkey and Rosie the cow, and how they came to live at the farm.

"And thanks to a bumper crop in 2018, we also have our own fantastic still and sparkling wines on sale.

"We really do have something for everyone, and are keen to say thank you to the fantastic customers who have kept us going.”