Welcoming gateway with easy transport needed from Sheffield station, say Lib Dems
Lib Dem and Green leaders explains how he would like to boost Sheffield’s tourism industry
Sheffield needs to transform its railways station with a more welcoming entrance to the city, and easy transport links.
That’s the view of Sheffield Council’s Liberal Democrats, as new figures reveal that tourism is now worth more than £2 billion to the city, and £4 billion to the broader South Yorkshire area, while the city’s Greens feel the city’s bid to be UK City of Culture could be transformational.
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It comes after the city’s Reform Councillor Matt Smith raised concerns over the lack of a tourist information office in the city centre, and as the city was given £798,000 by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority over three years as the body dealing with funding for the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership.
Now, Lib Dem leader Martin Smith has explained what he wants to see done to improve things further, which also includes closer work between the city and its neighbouring areas to create breaks that would combine town and country elements.
His was the first party to respond to an invitation from the Star and the Telegraph to explain what they wanted to do to boost the tourism industry.
Coun Smith said he felt that although the latest figures were impressive, the city could always do better.
He said: “Sheffield is a great place to visit. We have a unique blend of amazing events, industrial heritage and easy access to the great outdoors.
“It’s fantastic to see people from all over the world coming to visit us, while places like Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet and exhibits in Weston Park Museum remind us of how Sheffield grew into the city we see today.
“The latest visitor numbers and economic data are very impressive, but we can always do better.
“We’d like to see the council working more closely with neighbouring authorities to promote events and breaks that combine town and country attractions, together with improved communication between the council and hospitality sectors across the whole city.
“We would also like to see an improvement in non-digital marketing, with more information hubs available to visitors around the city.
“And with so many visitors to Sheffield arriving by train, it would be great to see the front of the station developed into a welcoming space with efficient public transport connections.”
At present there is a bus stop of Sheaf Street, but many of the bus stops are hundreds of yards away, at the interchange near Pond Street or up the hill on Arundel Gate, although there is a tram stop to Crystal Peaks and Hillsborough behind the station.
Sheffield Green Party leader Angela Argenzio also shared her views, adding that Sheffield already has a lot to offer for visitors, but if it could become City of Culture, it would be a major boost.
She said: “We are a buzzing and bustling city with lots going on such as theatres, sport, industrial and architectural heritage, music venues and the Peak District National Park.
“The City Centre has a wide range of restaurants reflecting the rich diversity of our population and popular local pubs with locally brewed beers. So the first job of the Council together with our partners is to ensure we protect and promote what we already have. The £45 million redevelopment fund of The Crucible is a great example of a big investment which should guarantee the future of World Snooker in the city until at least 2045.
“Sheffield’s Tourist Economy surpassed £2 Billion last year and 15,000 jobs rely on the tourism sector in the city so it is not insignificant. It is a rich programme of events that support the Tourism Sector such as Tramlines and the Crossed Wire Festival.
“To further develop our offer to visitors I support the Council in bidding with our partners to be the UK City of Culture in 2029. There are huge opportunities to draw in funding from central Government as well as the National Lottery and the Arts Council. If we are successful, it is the legacy of the Year of Culture that can bring lasting benefits to our city.”
Sheffield’s tourism industry was recently described as “a major economic sector for Sheffield and South Yorkshire” in a report discussed by councillors.
But concerns were recently raised by Reform Coun Matt Smith over the lack of a tourist information centre.
At a recent meeting of Sheffield Council Coun Smith called for better promotion of Sheffield as the home of football, with information about the key places to visit in the city.
Coun Mohammed Maroof agreed he would like to see a tourism office in the city centre.
Data for 2025 estimates that Sheffield generated £2.01bn of direct and indirect economic impact through visitor and tourism business expenditure, supported 16,203 full-time equivalent jobs locally, and welcomed an estimated 18.7 million tourism visits.
Across South Yorkshire, the visitor economy generated an estimated £4.02bn of economic impact, 38.3 million tourism visits and more than 32,800 full-time equivalent jobs, the council’s economic development, skills and culture policy committee heard last week (September 2).
This month the authority agreed to accept £798,000 of grant funding from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority over three years as the body dealing with funding for the South Yorkshire Local Visitor Economy Partnership.
Katy Archer, council head of culture and place-making, said that the budget for tourism promotion is limited. She said the Welcome to Sheffield website, https://www.welcometosheffield.co.uk/, promotes lots of ideas for themed breaks.
She said she was hoping to attract more visitors who come for business conferences to stay on with their families and explore the city.