Sheffield's outdoor businesses bring more than £50m a year to the city

Sheffield's amazing surroundings are inspiring outdoor firms to do business in the city '“ adding more than £53 million to the economy per year.
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo SystemsSheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems

Research has revealed outdoor businesses in the city have created more than 1,500 full-time equivalent jobs, with a further 2,647 volunteers working to promote activities on offer.

Sheffield launched as ‘the outdoor city’ last year and an economic strategy behind the brand has been published.

Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo SystemsSheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
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And now a study by Sheffield Hallam University found outdoor recreation is generating more than £53m for the city every year.

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Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo SystemsSheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems

Sheffield is home to some of the world’s most innovative outdoor companies.

The Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten at Lynwood Gardens where children are taught in the open air
Helen Mark reads the children a story in their woodland setting
Picture Dean AtkinsThe Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten at Lynwood Gardens where children are taught in the open air
Helen Mark reads the children a story in their woodland setting
Picture Dean Atkins
The Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten at Lynwood Gardens where children are taught in the open air Helen Mark reads the children a story in their woodland setting Picture Dean Atkins
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They include clothing firm Buffalo Systems, known throughout the world for its Pertex technology that draws moisture away from a person’s skin. It employs 26 people in Sheffield across a range of skilled roles.

Joint owner Sue Mansell said: “As a team we are all inspired by the outdoors. Amongst us you’ll find keen mountain bikers, walkers, water-sport enthusiasts, cyclists, runners and 
mountaineers.

“We live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle and the products we design and manufacture here in Sheffield are based on an-in-depth understanding of what people, who, like us, take to the outdoors whatever the elements, need. I couldn’t think of a better UK city for a business like ours.”

A string of other firms have set up in the city – inspired by its great surroundings.

Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo SystemsSheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems

They include:

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Cubar Cycling Apparel, a clothing firm named after Curbar Edge in the Peaks set up three months ago by artists James Clarkson, which employs two people;

Kandoo Events, which has organised three runs around the city every year since 2014

Sheffield Woodland Kindergarten, a not-for-profit outdoor nursery for children running for just over a year with seven staff

Stoneface Creative, an outdoor gallery in Storrs Woodland, set up in September and employing two people.

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Go Outdoors, the £200m-turnover retailer, was also born in Sheffield.

Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo SystemsSheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems
Sheffield-based outdoor clothing company Buffalo Systems

Sheffield Council deputy leader Leigh Bramall said: “The outdoor industry in Sheffield generates £53m a year, and the sector provides employment for 1597 people.

“Buffalo Systems is a great example of an outdoor business that started in Sheffield and has been successful here because of our unique outdoor lifestyle. It is our proximity between big city life and outdoor adventure that enables Sheffield to attract the talented people that work in this sector and the consumers that drive demand for these products.”