Marie Shipley joined the Sheffield Events Company this year as events and marketing coordinator. She is a Sheffield Hallam graduate who has settled in the city with husband Richard, a primary school teacher. As well as working towards the After Dark fireworks spectacular at Don Valley Bowl on November 5, Marie is helping develop festivals and events around the UK.

Ecclesall Road

Whilst at university I was based at Collegiate Crescent campus and spent many free periods in the Nursery Tavern, Varsity Sports Bar or sometimes wandering up into the Botanical Gardens or Endcliffe Park on the warmer days. Even today we will still choose to go to Varsity as the place to watch football or rugby with screens located everywhere and the food is fantastic!

Sheffield Train Station

Originally from the south-east coast, near Brighton, I would travel to and from Sheffield by train on a regular basis. I have seen Sheffield train station develop and transform over the past six years into a truly welcoming and friendly gateway into the city. I especially like the Marks and Spencer shop where you can buy something a little bit different to take on your journey, or something to take home for your dinner as you arrive.

West Street

Studying in Sheffield, you would no doubt be a regular on West Street throughout the week. I have sampled most of the establishments at some point during my time in Sheffield. However, my favourite has got to be Walkabout. Great food, drinks prices and music in a fantastic atmosphere!

The Moor

I love Sheffield city centre and I've always enjoyed wandering through the Moor and am an all-too-regular visitor to Debenham's and Atkinson's. It's going through a big makeover at the moment and it'll be great to see the whole area revamped.

Burton Street Project

The Sheffield Events Company is now based at The Burton Street Project in Hillsborough. The centre is the base for many organisations and businesses including REACT (Recreational and Educational Activities for People with Profound Learning Difficulties) and the Fit4All Gym. REACT is a not-for-profit business which works with all kinds of individuals including people who use no verbal communication and people with autism.
The Fit4All gym provides sports facilities that enable people of all ages and abilities to take part in regular exercise.
There's a real community feel about Burton Street with smiles at every corner. The students actively encourage this great atmosphere with Burton Lunch taking place every Wednesday when the students and volunteers take part in the cooking and serving in Burton Hall (where lots of the Full Monty was filmed).

Leopold Square

I have discovered Leopold Square in the last year and we have made it our new place to kickstart the weekend. Leopold Square has a more relaxed and enjoyable feel, away from West Street. I would especially recommend the tapas followed by cocktails at Platillos although many of the other bars offer a good variety of drinks and atmospheres.

Ponds Forge

During my second and third year at university I was a member of the Sheffield Hallam Canoe Club. We would meet every Wednesday afternoon at the diving pool to train. I returned after I had graduated to volunteer in the Swimming Development Office.

City Hall

My first experience of the newly-refurbished City Hall was at my graduation in 2005. I remember standing at the side of the stage waiting to collect my degree looking up into the crowd trying to find my mum, dad and grandparents. It is a magnificent venue which was host to the likes of Jimmy Carr, Dylan Moran and Jason Mansford for the Grin Up North comedy festival.

Royal Victoria

I got married over August Bank Holiday weekend this year with our wedding reception at the Holiday Inn, Royal Victoria at Victoria Quays. It is an lovely venue with high ceilings and very ornate rooms. We had our drinks reception in the garden before dining and dancing the night away in the grand ballroom. The service was fantastic, making the whole day pass like a dream.

Peace Gardens

In the so-called warmer months we enjoy heading into town, up the Moor and stopping for lunch in the Peace Gardens whilst the students hang out on the grass and what seems like the entire toddler population of Sheffield run through the fountains screaming!

The Lescar

Long before I started working for Sheffield Events we a Last Laugh Night at the Lescar at Hunters Bar and nearly made myself ill laughing. The highlight was Toby Foster. Now I help organise Grin Up North with Toby and Scott and I love every minute of it!

MORE:
Listings Guide
Arts Guide
Film Guide
Theatre and Events
Music Guide
Front Room