Supporting Vibrant High Streets in Sheffield
Supporting Vibrant High Streets in Sheffield Sheffield City Council has produced this brochure to showcase the most innovative and successful projects that have been carried out to support high streets across Sheffield, and to share our learning with others. There are three strands to our approach, these are refected in the sections that this brochure has been divided into: • Successful Centres • City Centre Management • Creative Sheffield The case studies summarise the issues the projects were aiming to address; how these aims were achieved; and what the impact of delivering the projects has been. Details of the latest projects can be found at: Successful Centres - www.sheffield.gov.uk/regeneration City Centre Management - www.sheffield.gov.uk/out--about/city- centre/management Supporting Vibrant High Streets Supporting Vibrant
2 There has been a great deal of investment During the summer of 2010, the council and improvement in Sheffield City Centre carried out extensive consultation as part of our plans to boost the city’s across the city to seek the views and economy and image, resulting in award- opinions of Sheffield people about their winning public spaces and facilities that District and Local Centres. We have we can be proud of. We are now applying developed a series of Thriving District the same approach across the rest of the and Local Centre Strategies. All of the city, as we want every community to have strategies can be viewed on our website: an attractive and thriving centre - a place www.sheffield.gov.uk/regeneration. where you can live, work, shop, meet and At the start of September 2010, relax. Sheffield City Council’s Housing and The Successful Centres programme Neighbourhood Regeneration Team (formally known as Thriving District and started work in four centres that were Local Centres (TDLC) is a priority for the chosen to pilot the Successful Centres council and a key initiative in creating programme. Following the initial pilot sustainable communities across the city. phase, further District and Local Centres have been included in the Successful Successful Centres - Our vision is Centres programme. that every community will have a centre Building up strong working relationships that acts as a focal point, where people with key partners in each area is an can come together. Centres will be a essential part of the programme to ensure source of pride for local people and each project is of high quality, maximises contribute to their sense of belonging to resources available, and creates a sense an area. Local people and businesses of ownership and pride whilst also will be able to get involved in improving ensuring the projects are sustainable. and looking after their centres, talk to The following pages highlight some of the council and other agencies about the work that the council has supported what works and doesn’t work and have across Sheffield over the past few years. a say on changes. Successful Centres
Start and completion date: 2010 - Ongoing Cost: £20,000
Why - A unique brand that celebrates Attercliffe is an historic centre with the heritage of Attercliffe has been many outstanding assets including its developed to create a positive and top class sports facilities and prime recognisable identity for Attercliffe. location in Sheffield’s main Lower Don - A clean-up day that brought Valley industrial and commercial district together the community and council and significant future housing potential. officers to clear the local car parks Despite much progress and the fact of litter and overgrown shrubs. that Attercliffe has a wide range of - In September 2013 the Town Team independent businesses, it suffers from organised a cultural festival. The a poor quality environment, noise and festival included market stalls for dirt associated with large vehicles, and a local traders, music and activities. persistently negative image. The festival increased the footfall to the area on the day and most Achievements importantly gained the buy-in of the • The Attercliffe Town Team has traders who wanted to build on the successfully brought together local momentum created and organise traders, stakeholders, and community further markets and events. groups and is currently creating a - A business directory database has positive momentum in Attercliffe with been created to encourage and their desire to change perceptions enhance inter-trading between local and make a positive difference. The businesses. following has been achieved through the work of the Attercliffe Town Team: Successful Centres
4 5 taking thelead.” and otherstakeholders the traders/propertyowners we canbuildonthis, with buy-in. Iwouldliketothink andthetrader created hasbeen that awareness outcome wasthe “…For methemain Festival: Attercliffe Mahroof, saidofthe Town Team,Mohammed The chairof Attercliffe
Successful Centres Banner Cross
Start and completion date: 2012 - Ongoing Cost: £10,000 Mary Portas Funding
Why • Banner Cross Centre has benefited Traders of Banner Cross contacted the from the ‘Totally Locally’ campaign, Housing and Neighbourhood Regeneration a national campaign to encourage team as they wanted help to raise shoppers to support local businesses. awareness of the quality independent • The Banner Cross traders utilise social businesses in their area. media as a means of advertising their upcoming offers and events to the local In 2012, the traders supported by the community. All of the traders contribute council submitted an application to to updating the Banner Cross Twitter the Mary Portas funding. This bid was account with photographs of their successful and the local centre of Banner products, customers and businesses. Cross received £10,000. The Twitter account now has over 2,000 followers. Achievements • The council commissioned WORK • A Town Team was established, through Ltd, a local charity which provides the group, a number of successful opportunities for people with learning seasonal events have been organised difficulties, to develop life skills to make with intensive support from the local hand crafted large wooden planters. neighbourhood group. These events Colourful flowers were carefully chosen have focussed on showcasing the to brighten up the area and improve independent businesses in the area customers shopping experience. The and increasing footfall. traders have taken over responsibility of the maintenance of the planters. Successful Centres
6 6 7 stunning.” us. They lookabsolutely when theyshopwith customers willfeelspecial willensurehappy attractive makingtheplacelook that traders suggesting tofellow “For solongI’vebeen recently installedplanters: Cross reflectedonthe Banner A localtraderat
Successful Centres Darnall
Start and completion date: 2012 - Ongoing Cost: £300,000 (shop front improvement scheme), £50,000 (public realm improvements)
Why Achievements Darnall has all the ingredients of a thriving • A Shop Front Improvement Scheme and successful District Centre; including has been launched by the council. The a strong and growing resident population, financial assistance covers cosmetic good range of shops, community facilities facelift to the front elevations of all and access to public transport. However, independent businesses within a the centre has a poor environment, with designated boundary. The scheme some buildings in a poor state of repair. In aims to improve shop fronts as a addition, there are a number high number means of supporting local businesses, of vacant units. improving the environment and raising the image of Darnall centre to the During consultation the following local population, visitors and potential improvements were recommended: investors alike. Work on the properties • Bringing vacant units back into use will start in March 2014. • A better range of shops • The repairing of poor railings, planting • Improved traffic management trees, and upgrading pedestrian walkways will also take place. • Better general appearance including refurbishing buildings, new benches, • Litter and fly tipping in car parks and flowers; creating public space behind some of the shops is a major problem. Council departments are • Make the area feel cleaner and safer working together on an action plan to inform and educate on litter and how to dispose of it correctly. Successful Centres
8 • To ensure that there is a joined-up approach to regeneration in Darnall, regular meetings are held bringing together all the relevant officers from within the council. These meetings have proved invaluable to promote collaborative working; ensuring that both knowledge and resources are shared and progress is made in the most efficient and effective way. Successful Centres
8 9 Hemsworth
Start and completion date: 2010 - 2012 Cost: £25,000
Why hub and now successfully manage the Hemsworth is located in the Gleadless day to day running of the building and Valley area of south Sheffield. The main all the facilities it provides. shopping area is a small parade known • New signage has been installed to locally as Gaunt Road Shops. Whilst it signpost local amenities in the area. is serving everyday needs, such as a • A local artist worked with young people minimart and pharmacy there is a distinct in the area to decorate shop shutters. lack of community facilities. The centre This has brightened up the area and also suffered from a poor image locally, deterred graffiti. mainly due to the run down appearance; • A clean-up day was organised, including a number of vacant units as well bringing together the community and as anti-social behaviour. council services to tidy and improve the area outside of Gaunt Road shops. The main priorities local people identified during consultation included: making • Planters and hanging baskets have improvements to the environment around been placed in and around the Gaunt Road shops and improving the shopping parade to enhance the street management of anti-social behaviour. scene. • Canopies above shops as well as railings were re-painted, this Achievements contributed to the improved appearance of the area. • Excellent working relationships were established at the beginning of the project with a number of key community groups and businesses in the area. Such partnership working has maximised local knowledge and “The valley has been in need of a centre like this expertise. for some time. It will provide a new heart for • The Valley View Community Hub members of the local community who can drop in has been created in what would for refreshments and check out the second hand have become a vacant unit. The hub shop.” includes a charity shop, coffee shop Gleadless Valley Forum Manager Steve Rundell and a range of services and activities (The Star, 2012) which take place for all age groups. The Hub has proved extremely popular and has become a valuable addition to the area. Gleadless Valley Forum were an integral partner in setting up the Successful Centres
10 10 11
Successful Centres Hillsborough
Start and completion date: Summer 2011 - Ongoing Cost: £125,000
Why Achievements Hillsborough District Centre has a • A traders group was set up in order to lot to offer. It boasts a wide range of promote independent business within independent shops, a library, leisure Hillsborough. The group provided a centre, art galleries as well as a park and support network for traders as well as an award winning walled garden. The a forum for raising issues, ideas and Hillsborough Successful Centre project organising events. was developed to raise awareness of • A marketing campaign was launched these attractions, and enhance what is in partnership with the council and already on offer. local traders to showcase the quality and variety of businesses and facilities The key priorities identified in the that are on offer in Hillsborough. The consultation process included: better campaign included leaflets, posters, management of traffic and parking: postcards and a website. The high improving the general appearance, quality of the campaign resulted in condition and distinctiveness of the centre; it being short listed for a prestigious and promoting independent businesses design award. and increasing footfall. Successful Centres
12 • • • the area.Localchildren created anti- to educate andinstilprideback into an anti-littercampaignwaslaunched schools,Working withlocalprimary navigate. for pedestrianstoexperience and easier andmoreattractive environment displays wereadded,makingan railings werealsopaintedandflower tothis and streetsigns. Further redundantbollards the removal of The highstreetwasde-cluttered by events throughouttheyear. role indeveloping aprogrammeof grouparenowtakingaleading traders and increasefootfall andprofit. The toshowcasetheirbusinesses,traders The events have allowedindependent Christmas market andtreasuretrails. have beenorganised including a popularseasonalevents A number of 13 • • city. the being rolledoutinotherareasof thewalks, they arenow the successof growth for localbusinesses. Dueto andimproveopportunities, economic people’s health,increasesocialising and usethelocalshops, improve them towalkaroundHillsborough people’s travelling options, entice thewalkswastobroaden The aimof the HillsboroughWalk Boostproject. walks throughHillsborough,knownas The councilhave organised aseriesof tothecentre.visitors toprovidecar park morespacesfor identified anddeveloped intoanew landwas A redundantpieceof binsinHillsborough. side of Winning wereplacedonthe posters acompetition. of aspart litter posters have aquickchat.”have inthestreetand bump intosomeoneIknow It’s socialoccasiontoo, agreat Ialways coffee inoneofthecafeswhileI’mthere. tostayfora there fortoolong!Ialsotry andIcanbrowse beenafavourite always fish andotheritems. Thefabricshophas twice aweektoshopforfruit, veg, and meat local shopsinHillsborough. walkthere Inow “It reallymademethinkaboutsupporting Boost Projectreflectedontheirexperience: A recentparticipantoftheHillsborough Walk
Successful Centres Sheffield Antiques Quarter
Start and completion date: March 2012 - Ongoing Cost: Self-funded independent group
Why Achievements The council has been working with the newly formed Sheffield Antiques Quarter • Strong working partnerships have since March 2012. Several services have been created with the council and been involved, including the Housing and local community groups, including Neighbourhood Regeneration Team and the Nether Edge Group and Heeley Creative Sheffield’s Enterprise Team. Development Trust. • A unique brand was created The Sheffield Antiques Quarter is an to represent the Quarter and a excellent example of how a group of comprehensive marketing campaign like-minded people can come together developed to raise awareness locally and make a real difference. The cluster of and nationally. businesses has existed for many years but • Regular vintage markets take place, lacked a profile or marketing. which involve all the local businesses and attract a large number of people Sheffield Antiques Quarter is ideally to the area. placed to attract people of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of the work is to let everyone know that Sheffield has a well-established comprehensive yet compact antiques quarter, with a host of independent traders selling everything from antiques, retro and vintage items, through to military memorabilia and artwork.
Ivan Macquisten, of the Antiques Trade Gazette said: “What’s happening in Sheffield is a template for other towns and cities in the UK, not just in terms of art and antiques but in the whole approach that business, local government and people living in the area should take. It is a credit to the efforts and imagination of the retailers as well as the enlightened approach of the council.” (The Star, 2012) Successful Centres
14 • With support from the Association of Town Centre Management, a crowd funding application has been submitted to achieve the following: - Place banners on key lampposts and buildings throughout the quarter - Place 6 information points in the area - Enhance the area with art projects to include mosaics, lettering and mural work on key buildings and gable ends. - Pavement based signage to include murals to further enhance and identify the trail Successful Centres
15 Spital Hill
Start and completion date: Summer 2012 - Ongoing Cost: £320,000
Why Achievements Spital Hill is a district centre located in the • Ellesmere Green, a well-used and north east of Sheffield. It comprises mainly valued green space in Spital Hill, is of independent shops, which reflect the currently undergoing improvements, diverse communities living in Spital Hill creating a revived social space for the and the surrounding area. The centre is community to enjoy. The space will be also well provided by community facilities used for community led street markets and services, such as a library, housing and events to attract footfall from office, doctors and dental surgery. The the new superstore and create new opening of a Superstore has brought custom and confidence in the area. more shoppers but is also a threat to • Pavement and street lighting are being independents. Ellesmere Green is a well- upgraded to create a high quality used and valued green space within the public realm. centre but is somewhat tired. • Art works will be introduced to link The following aims were identified during the Tesco shopping area to the rest of the consultation to enhance Spital Hill: Spital Hill. • The national Love Where You Live • Improve the cleanliness and campaign was used to market a clean- appearance of the centre up day that brought together various • Bring better green space to the centre council departments and services. 50 • Bring empty shops back into use bags of litter were collected from the area, which made a real impact on • Develop vacant sites the street scene. Future clean-up days • Improve parking will be organised as well as educating • Provide activities for young people both traders and residents on how to dispose of their litter correctly.
Successful Centres
16 • The Muslim Marketing Company has • A shop front improvement scheme been commissioned to work in Spital is currently being developed. The Hill to engage with traders, in the next scheme will provide cosmetic 6 months they will deliver one to one improvements to the front façade of training sessions on marketing their independent shops. The scheme aims businesses, as well as learning how to improve shops fronts as a means of to arrange shops windows and shop supporting local businesses, improving layout to encourage sales. the environment and raising the profile • Regular Spital Hill Regeneration Group of Spital Hill to the local population, meetings are now taking place. These visitors and potential investors. This will meetings bring together all the key be implemented in autumn 2014. partners from within the council and local community to share information, resources and knowledge. Successful Centres
16 17 Stocksbridge
Start and completion date: October 2010 - Ongoing Cost: £50,000 public realm 2010-2011, £70,000 project work March 2012 - March 2014
Why Stocksbridge is a distinct township that • The public transport running through is geographically distant from the urban the district centre is poor. area of Sheffield. There are a wide range • There are not enough opportunities for of shops serving everyday needs and a young people within Stocksbridge. range of facilities, including a community • The assets that Stocksbridge resource centre, medical centre, housing possesses need to be better promoted office and library. to draw people into the centre.
A range of potential interventions to Achievements improve Stocksbridge District Centre were suggested during the Successful Centres • Public Realm Improvements to the consultation. The following issues were outside of Stocksbridge library, which identified as priorities: included new flower beds, seating and paving. This work was completed in • There are a high percentage of vacant October 2012 and has made the area units and run down shops which are a more welcoming and attractive for major cause for concern. people to enjoy. • Limited car parking spaces in the • City Dressing were commissioned to centre with poor signage. design vinyl graphics that have been Successful Centres
18 • • • parks. Parking restrictionswillalsobe centre todirectpeoplepublic car New signswillbeplacedinthedistrict shopcanopies. repainting of newbollardsandthe installation of have beenmade, including the Small scalepublic realmimprovements be showcased. andcraftsto allow localproduce, art ‘Made inStocksbridge.’ The shopwill thevacant unitscalled shop inoneof commissioned toopenupapop City Dressinghave alsobeen thevacant units. up of the highstreetandencouragetake positive overall impactontherestof vacant shopsinthisway creates a units. Improving theappearanceof vacant placed intheshopwindowsof 19 • markets andevents. from thelocalevents tohold forum fundingrequests The councilsupports shops. thelocal of spaces for customers parking do notrestrictthenumber of introduced toensurethat commuters
Successful Centres Summary of key tools used
Tool What aspects worked well Lessons learnt Traders Groups/ Providing the opportunity Attendance at meetings Town Teams to bring traders together to fluctuated as traders share ideas and concerns felt that they could not as well as get to know one always commit to evening another. In centres where meetings alongside running there was a commitment their business and personal and buy-in from traders, commitments. Try to keep the groups have continued the meetings short and to meet beyond the length focused to maintain a good of the Successful Centres attendance rate. project. Themed Events Themed events worked very Ensure that traders are well across a number of involved from the beginning centres. They encouraged of planning an event so the local community to that they can use the support their shopping knowledge, skills and centres and attracted an contacts they develop to increased footfall on the plan their own events in the day. future. Branding Creating a distinctive brand Ensure that the traders feel helped to raise the profile fully engaged in the design of centres, in particular process to maintain future Hillsborough. ownership. Promotional material The use of flyers and Careful consideration posters as a marketing tool needs to be taken as to the was deemed successful by marketing material used. the local traders as it raised Some of the promotional awareness of independent material was not as businesses. effective, such as banners and posters placed within trams. Shop Front This has generally been The boundary of the Improvement Scheme received positively by scheme caused some traders as way of improving controversy. Ensure that the the appearance of the traders are fully engaged in area. As a result it is hoped the progress of the scheme that landlords will invest as it is developed and further in their properties clearly communicate the and encourage the take-up reasons for decisions. of vacant units. Successful Centres
20 Tool What aspects worked well Lessons learnt Small scale public Implementing these These works can realm improvements measures created a sometimes been seen relatively quick and positive as a quick fix solution. If impact on the environment. budget allows, sometimes major capital investment is needed to make a long term impact. Clean-up days Bringing together partners Establish an education from within the council as programme to run well as the community. alongside clean up days The clean-up creates an to ensure that their impact immediate improvement of encourages improvement the street scene. of the area in the long term. Partnership Working Bringing together local Try to hand the direction knowledge, as well as of the project over to the expertise, to a project traders and partners in the ensured that local issues early stages of the projects. were identified and This ensures buy-in and addressed, whilst also support throughout the ensuring the projects were lifetime of the project and driven forward. ensures a lasting legacy once the council has stepped away. Totally Locally Using the marketing Assisted with groups who material and ideas that have limited funding and Totally Locally have knowledge on delivering developed has worked an effective marketing particularly well in Banner campaign. Created peer Cross. It has created a mentoring and support for recognisable brand for the the group from other areas area, as well as ideas for who have implemented a themed events. Totally Locally campaign. Successful Centres
21 Sheffield City Centre Chapel Walk
Start and completion date: 2012-2013
The city centre is the Sheffield’s retail, Why leisure and transport hub. Nationally, Chapel Walk has historically been a footfall on the high street is declining and quirky area and a destination of choice there is a need to improve Sheffield’s city for alternative retail but in recent years the centre’s offer in order to attract people number of vacant units has increased, the to the area. The city centre management physical environment has deteriorated and team have engaged in a number of footfall has declined. It was our vision to projects to improve the high street offer once again make Chapel Walk a vibrant and bring vibrancy to the city centre. and welcoming street that will provide a • Chapel Walk: Supporting Independent strong retail offer with improved footfall. Traders The City Centre Management Team • Summer Saturdays: Bringing a set out to create an environment which vibrant programme of activity to stimulated retail growth through training, Sheffield development, improved environment and retail start-up incentives. City Centre Management
22 • • • • Achievements Bird’s Yard andChapelWalk was An enhancedmarketing campaignfor preserves. craft, fashion,jewellery, booksand local businesses sellinghomeware, and hasto-date hostedover 50,new, once vacant Oasisshoppingprecinct The shopBird’s Yard hastaken over the Chapel Walk andtheshopBird’s Yard. from theHighStreetInnovation Fundto provided ‘inkind’andfinancialsupport Sheffield CityCounciland The Source The Victoria MethodistChurch, ‘Bird’s Yard’. retail incubation hubandtheshop Church. This allowedustosetupthe The SourceandVictoria HallMethodist key organisations such as number of theprojectwitha at thebeginningof Working relationships wereestablished 23 • • • • • centre. inthecity vacant unitselsewhere totake overshops andarestarting Yard arenowsettinguptheirown upinBird’s Businesses that started wrapped inattractive vinyls. Existing vacant unitshave been been installedonChapelWalk. and signage haveNew streetfurniture high streetandtheatre district. Walk anattractive routebetweenthe have beeninstalledtomake Chapel andstreetdecorations A lightcurtain gum removal. cleaning, including powerwashingand Chapel Walk hasundergoneintensified installed oncitycentresignage. in localmagazines andnewbranding out,including advertisements carried
City Centre Management Summer Saturdays
Start and completion date: June-September 2013
Why Achievements Footfall typically drops in the city centre • Summer 2013 saw the first ever during the summer months as workers ‘Summer Saturdays’ campaign and shoppers take summer holidays and which ran from 29th June until 28th spend time away from the city centre. September and focused on increasing However, Sheffield city centre has a dwell time and footfall in the city centre. collection of fantastic public spaces • The ambitious programme to hold such as The Peace Gardens, The Winter an event every Saturday during the Garden, Tudor Square, Millennium summer was fulfilled and a series of Square, Devonshire Green, Barkers established and brand new events took Pool and Fargate, which the City Centre place. Management Team recognised are • The Summer Saturdays programme excellent places to host summer events was created with the agreement and and bring people back into the city centre support of the City Centre Retailers over the summer. The ‘Summer Saturdays’ Group who contributed to the leaflets project was created with the intention of distributed for the campaign. putting on vibrant events in the city centre to drive up footfall between 11am and 7pm. City Centre Management
24 • New events in the Summer Saturdays which is greater than the readership of programme included: the local newspaper. The Independent Market • The City Centre Retailers Group The Outdoor Cinema reported that the events had increased The Sheffield Street Magic Festival their confidence in the city centre. Greentop Circus Day • On Saturday 6th July, 13th July, 20th July, 3rd August and 21st September The Aquarium footfall was up by over 10% in the The Hip Hop Theatre designated activity area compared The Division Street Market to the same day for the previous year. City Centre Sessions Given that footfall across the country is in decline year on year, this is a positive • These events took place alongside outcome. the well-established Tramlines music festival, Sheffield by the Seaside and the Chance to Dance Festival. This summer also saw Sheffield Gay Pride move to the city centre for the first time ever, bringing the parade right through the heart of the city. • An enhanced marketing plan was carried out with advertisements for Summer Saturdays on billboards and on local radio and television. • The city centre Facebook page and Twitter account were revamped and used as the main communication route for the ‘Summer Saturdays’ programme. A series of competitions were held and prizes were donated by local retailers in return for publicity on the Facebook page. • The number of ‘likes’ on the Sheffield City Centre Facebook page increased from 125 to well over 5000 ‘likes’ in just a few weeks, meaning that the overall ‘reach’ of the Sheffield City Centre Facebook page is now over 55,000, City Centre Management
25 Creative Sheffield’s Enterprise Team
Start and completion date: June-September 2013
The Creative Sheffield Enterprise In Hillsborough the market research Team backs the council’s high street undertaken resulted in a targeted improvement efforts by providing business campaign to attract a group of local support to local businesses in each centre. residents who seldom shopped in Hillsborough to come and shop at the high The focus of our work covers three areas: quality independent retail outlet within • to assist groups of independent the centre. The local retailers involved traders to work together to brand, reported a better trading period as a result market and promote the independent of the campaign. retail offer in their centre so that collectively they attract more Our work with the retail group within the customers Antiques Quarter was to help them brand the quarter, produce a leaflet and build a • to increase the number and range web presence that helped the businesses of opportunities for new and existing involved create a distinct specialist businesses shopping area in the city that, in the • To promote a healthy pipeline of good medium and long term, should underpin quality retailers ready for the challenge the success of the centre. of the high street by providing specialist business support through Overall, this is a relatively low cost The Sheffield Enterprise Programme. intervention that can have a high impact on making a retail area thrive. Our aim is Examples of the work the Enterprise Team always to work with the group of retailers has delivered are outlined below. in question and uncover the unique selling points that they can market themselves Attracting customers and increasing footfall on collectively, and to use our investment to build their skills so that they are able to Sales and profitability are the key to high undertake future work themselves at low street survival for retailers. Branding and cost. marketing of retail areas can help this by bringing out the real distinctiveness of a retail area and attract more people to shop Creating opportunities for new high street there. retailers Opportunities that enable retail businesses The Enterprise Team supported groups of to take the first steps onto the high street independent retailers in Hillsborough and are extremely important in order to create The Antiques Quarter, using input from a a pipeline of good quality retailers who marketing specialist to help with brand stay the course. Through supporting identity and structure targeted marketing the creation of pop up shops and campaigns. affordable retail incubation spaces, such as Bird’s Yard, we aim to give people Creative Sheffield
26 the opportunity to test their business to group sessions that give people the ideas without the risk attached to taking chance to hear from successful local on the lease of premises which can be entrepreneurs. Those taking the plunge prohibitively expensive when just starting to start-up and those who are already in out. business are then given the support of a business adviser and access to a range For example, the Bird’s Yard retail of support sessions and networks to help incubation project created numerous them survive and thrive. opportunities for new retail businesses to take the first steps into shop-based If you would like further information about retailing. Enabling people to start with the Sheffield Enterprise Programme, a small space, and take more space as please contact The First Point for Business they grow their business, keeps costs Enterprise Gateway on 0800 043 55 22. affordable. Bird’s Yard has proved very The Gateway Team provides one point popular, with some of the retail businesses of contact for all business needs. Many there eventually taking a full retail unit new and existing businesses need a elsewhere in the city centre. range of help from financing and growing their businesses to technical issues that Specialist support from the Sheffield the council can help with like: planning, Enterprise Programme licensing, building standards and business rates, etc. First Point for business staff The Sheffield Enterprise Programme help businesses identify their needs and provides business support to help connect them to the right advice and specialist independent retailers take the support. first steps, survive and then grow. For example, many of the retail businesses taking up space in Bird’s Yard received support from the Sheffield Enterprise Programme to progress their business ideas and start the business. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Through the Programme, people thinking of starting a business are given the assistance of an Enterprise Coach to talk through their business with them, guide them and provide support, which ranges from topic based coaching sessions (on subjects like marketing, business finance, social media and tax & National Insurance) Creative Sheffield
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