Living And Working In Sheffield

Sheffield is one of the UK’s largest cities and is in South Yorkshire. It is situated close to the border of Derbyshire, near to the stunning Peak District. It is approximately one hundred and sixty five miles from London with direct trains having you there in a little over two hours. The nearest airport is in Manchester.

It is often nicknamed ‘Steel City’ because of its connections with the production of steel which first started in the 18th century and swiftly gained a reputation for producing the best steel in the world. The history of Sheffield and its steel is a rather interesting one with several notable individuals contributing to the city’s success. Sheffield played a pivotal role in the Industrial Revolution and the abundance of coal and iron ore fuelled the growth of the steel and cutlery industries. Innovations in steel making led to the production of crucible steel, renowned for its quality. However, events in the 1970’s caused the steelworks (and sadly, the coal mines at around the same time) to rapidly diminish and now steel production is now a smaller and more specialised trade.

The city has seen vast regeneration over the years and Sheffield has shown huge potential with many exciting developments having been approved and being moved forward. It is part of the Governments ‘Northern Powerhouse’ initiative which combines together different cities, towns and more rural areas of the North of England in order to improve productivity, investment and to generally lift the economy. Sheffield is set to benefit from further investment as South Yorkshire has been named as the first UK Investment Zone, focusing on advanced manufacturing.

Sheffield boasts several strong sectors which include advanced manufacturing and engineering, education and research, digital and creative, technology, healthcare and energy. Tourism and culture also contribute to the economy and support the hospitality sector.

It has been recognised by Startups Cities Index as a fantastic place for entrepreneurs who initiate their own businesses and was recognised last year as the best city in the UK to start a business.

The University of Sheffield is one of the most prestigious and well known universities in the UK, being especially known for its research excellence. Sheffield Hallam University is another popular and prominent higher education institution. Both universities contribute to the city’s cultural and economic vibrancy, attracting students from all over the world to study in Sheffield. They also play a vital role in research, innovation and community engagement within the region.

There are many interesting things to do in Sheffield and it has some really beautiful parks, wooded areas and gardens like the Sheffield Botanical Garden to explore. With several museums which include Weston Park Museum and galleries such as the Millennium Gallery, there is something here for everyone.

The city offers a diverse shopping experience with a fantastic mix of shopping centres, historic markets and independent shops. Whether you are looking to buy extravagant gifts, unique vintage finds or locally crafted goods, you will undoubtedly find it here. Eating out is just as good and there are a massive range of options here from locally produced to continental restaurants and more! In fact, Sheffield has been recognised as this year’s UK ‘foodie hotspot’.

Over sixty per cent of the city is what is considered green space and a third of Sheffield lies within the stunning Peak District National Park. In fact recently, a study revealed Sheffield to be the UK’s greenest city and the local councils ‘Grey to Green’ scheme proved highly successful in converting and regenerating areas within the city. It has been said that Sheffield has more trees than people!

Sports enthusiasts will be intrigued to learn that Sheffield Football Club, founded in 1857, is recognised by FIFA as the oldest playing football club in the world. Additionally, the World Snooker Championships have been held here in the historic Crucible Theatre since 1977.

Tourism is big business for Sheffield with millions of visitors annually and was voted second Best City Break Destination Europe 2023 by TimeOut.

People are discovering the charms of a place that has often been voted as the UK’s safest and friendliest city. Sheffield is a dynamic and vibrant city that combines its industrial heritage with modern advancements in many areas. Its history is a testament to its resilience and adaptability in the face of economic and social changes.

Looking for a Career in Sheffield? We are hosting a careers fair at Sheffield Town Hall on Friday 22nd September, between the times of 10am-2pm. Ours event are completely free for jobseekers and are a great way to meet hiring companies around the city. Find out more here!