We asked: How tough has the past year been and how do you think you will fare in 2009?

Steve Wilcox
Debt advice consultant at Sheffield Citizens Advice Bureau Debt Support Unit

If there's one type of organisation that should thrive in the credit crunch and deepening recession, it's a debt advice service!

The problem for us, though, is that while demand for our services is ever-increasing, our income isn't. Citizens advice bureaux don't charge for their services and they don't get paid any sort of commission – this is what sets them apart from commercial 'debt help' agencies and ensures they deliver independent and impartial advice that is genuinely in the best interests of the client.

Our income comes from a number of sources but perhaps most important are Sheffield City Council and central Government. The city council has had a long-term commitment to providing debt advice services for its most vulnerable citizens but resources are limited.

Central government has, more recently, started to fund debt advice for the financially excluded through its Financial Inclusion Fund.

Regrettably, though, demand for impartial debt advice at present far outstrips its supply and accessing these services can be a real problem.
With unemployment and mortgage repossessions forecast to increase dramatically, it looks like we're in for a busy 2009.

Rachel Thorpe
Charity director, Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity

As we pass the shortest day and can start to look forward to the lengthening of daylight hours and the lift in spirits that comes with the approach of spring, I wonder whether our apprehension about the coming months will lift, too.

Beyond doubt here at Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity our income is down. Having said this, all sorts of factors affect charitable income and whilst the credit crunch is without doubt playing its part we, for instance, lost thousands of pounds in income when we had to postpone our annual 'Think Pink Walk' in October because of flooding along the route.

I do fear a real fall in income in the post-Christmas months as we all tighten our belts.

At Weston Park we will be fighting back against the credit crunch and searching for new ways to help you to help us. Keep an eye on our website from New Year onwards www.wphcancercharity.org.uk We need to raise over £1m per year for the hospital and if you think that your contribution would be too small to make a difference, may I ask: "Have you ever spent the night trying to sleep in a room with a mosquito?"

Linda Crapper
Director of Saxton Mee New Homes and Henry Spencer & Sons estate agents

The past 12 months have produced an extremely difficult property market. The banking problems and tough lending criteria have affected us all and the year has been particularly hard for estate agents, with new home sales in this region down by as much as 80%.

Second hand resale has been down by 40% to 50% and numerous agents have struggled – including the residential arm of Saxton Mee, which went into administration as a result of current market pressures.

The personal impact was grim, as I had looked after new homes and had healthy accounts. But I managed to buy out this side of the business, including the offices in Crookes and Hillsborough, and decided to go back to basics.

I am now concentrating on new homes, residential sales and have set up Henry Spencer & Sons Lettings – some of my best years were spent working for a professional estate agent under that name.

Overall it has been an extremely tough and tiring year but I am determined to succeed within the current market and I am excited by the challenge as we enter 2009.

The market cannot get much worse, though there might be more casualties within estate agency and the large house builders.

However, with good service, negotiators and sales staff, it's a great opportunity to get back to basics and prove that we can still sell. One recent sale was agreed within 30 minutes and completed in seven days, so it can still be done!

The next two years will continue to be difficult but if we batten down our hatches and offer a good service, we will all survive.

Hafeas Rehman
Chairman of Sheffield Taxi Trade Association

It's been difficult, especially since June. There were a lot of people in the town centre last year but this summer was horrible. Even students aren't catching taxis and we rely on them. Usually in October, November and December, it would be non-stop, with people queueing for taxis. This year we have got taxis waiting for jobs.

There are no queues of people. That never used to happen. Black cab drivers driving around places like Hillsborough and Woodseats are also finding it's generally quiet. Colleagues in the private hire trade are saying the same. The prospects are looking gloomy.

Gian Bohan
Co-owner of Nonna's Italian restaurant, Ecclesall Road

The past year has been a roller-coaster. Nonna's has continued to show a strong trading record and we have broadened our income base by evolving into new areas, such as outside catering. This arm of the business has been very pleasing, with major contracts including the new digital campus for Knight Frank and a car launch for Guy Salmon.

We have published our first book, to spread our name to a potential wider audience. We have also increased of our range of retail goods and branded products and continued with our successful food and wine events, with a full year programme already organised for 2009.

But there have been lows, too. The year started with the anticipation of two projects. One was hindered by having to deal with a large organisation, which proved a slow process and led to our withdrawal.

The other, the Livelli steak house, suffered from the downturn in availability of finance, which has made it difficult for SF & Entrepreneurs to expand our business ideas.

I welcome the Government proposals to provide additional funds via the Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme, which should assist the feasibility of projects like this. It is on 'pause' at the moment but should restart in the middle of next year.

It is often cited that quality bars and restaurants can help regenerate areas and provide a focal point for visitors to the city. We continually hear how good Leeds or Manchester is on the bar, restaurant, club, or retail scene – and in our city we need to nurture new businesses.

Matthew Taylor
Partner, Taylor Taylor hairdressers

At the moment it's a steady flow and we're quite happy. I wouldn't say we are pulling up any trees but I wouldn't say we are massively down.

Obviously it's been busy in the run-up to Christmas. I think the telling time will be after Christmas. It will be difficult and if it gets any worse there may be a knock-on effect. Somebody may come here as a treat and decide to go somewhere cheaper.

But we are lucky in that we are well established and have a loyal following. Some women will always come here and probably cut down on their shopping instead! We are hoping when all the city centre developments are completed we'll get more people coming into the city centre. The two new car parks will help. But we could still do with a couple more big name shops. We get clients saying there is still nothing here apart from Cole Brothers.

Guy Gilfillan
Head of national commercial property consultancy, Lambert Smith Hampton's Sheffield office

Conditions in the commercial property market are tightening with the result that a number of commercial property surveyors have had to resort to significant staff cuts. In Sheffield this has been less so but undoubtedly market conditions for 2009 will be much more challenging, particularly in the transactional sectors of the business.

However, LSH undertakes a wide-range of property consultancy services in addition to property brokerage and it is these other service lines which are less affected by current market activity and which, in some cases, are continuing to grow.

Like a number of other sectors, the single biggest concern is the squeeze on liquidity and bank lending. Development other than on existing schemes has come to a complete halt. The development sector is dependent upon a resumption of commercial property lending by the banks but this will also need to be underpinned by stronger market conditions.

LSH's in-house view is that the property market is at least 18 months away from recovery but that certain sectors may see the beginnings of an increase in activity during the latter half of next year. Early activity will involve well-funded individuals and property companies jumping back into the marketplace when they feel the market is at or near the bottom. These types of investor/developer are less dependent upon traditional funding routes.

Antony Knight
Director of Granville Square's Europa prestige car dealership

Supply of prestige cars is presently outstripping demand and conditions are very tough. People are hanging on to existing models longer and looking for the best price on everything. The price tag of nearly new top marques have fallen faster than the battered housing market in the past year and customers are now driving away prestige vehicles up to 30% cheaper than they were in October 2007.

A top of the range Lamborghini or Porsche probably isn't at the top of most people's shopping lists at the moment but if you've got the ready cash, there really couldn't be a better time to buy.

It really is a buyers' market and customers are negotiating hard to land their dream car.

We sold a Lamborghini Gallardo last year for £135,000 – we sold the same car recently at just £90,000. But the situation is unlikely to last too long as the car market adjusts to the fall in demand. Bentley and Land Rover have already switched to a shorter working week and it's likely things will settle down after Christmas."

Lesley Eland
Fundraising director for the charity Neurocare

At the start of 2008 our income was definitely changing. We took time to really look at what we were doing, how we were doing it, and what was changing in the world outside. It was valuable time well spent, as we completely changed the fundraising strategy.

To say we haven't felt the recession would be a lie but I think good business planning has protected us from the worst so far. We have even recruited in the past three months. However we are continuing to try and keep our eye on the ball as we have some life changing/saving work to carry out for 2009 and beyond. Medical breakthroughs in neurotechnology continue to happen and if we want Sheffield to stay at the leading edge then our work must continue.

Our office is as busy as ever and we are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. We are very realistic about the challenges we face but we are also thinking very creatively about new fundraising opportunities and remain positive for the future.

We need now more than ever the support of local people who value the work we do. It is after all local people who will benefit.

Jonathan Herbert
Managing director of Bond Bryan Architects

Architecture has been a hot issue in Sheffield recently, with the debates over City Lofts and the new city centre car parks. It is healthy that people are showing an interest in the built environment, whatever their views of these new developments.

Of course it is a challenging time but Sheffield's architectural community is better-placed than most to withstand the economic downturn. At Bond Bryan the past year has seen us open our first southern office and expand our staff numbers to almost 200.

A healthy public sector order book is helping us attract skilled designers, some moving to the north for a better life/work balance and we are ploughing new furrows for private sector work from around the UK and abroad.

Commissions like these mean an exciting 2009 for the practice and despite the overall economic climate we see some opportunity for further growth.

Alison Rawlings
Managing director of research consultancy Bunnyfoot

This year is going to be very exciting for Bunnyfoot as a company and for Sheffield as a creative economy. Sheffield has already become an acknowledged centre of excellence for the digital media sector and because of this Bunnyfoot's new office has to be here, in the Digital Campus, at the core of the UK's digital community.

Our office here will be starting off small but we already have expansion plans as Sheffield, along with Hong Kong, is a top priority for us in the coming year.

The Electric Works building itself is what brought us here because of its central location and the creative community being built around it.

It is set to play a vital role in the growth of not only our company but also the entire sector within this region, being a major force within the local economy.

Ian Appleyard
Director of estate agents Blundells

The estate agency industry has felt the full force of the credit crunch in 2008 and we have seen a remarkable reduction in the number of house transactions since the beginning of the year. The first quarter of the year was slow by historical standards and by Easter there were warning signs that the market was starting to slow even further. July and August brought little sunshine with banks and building societies reluctant to lend money leaving first time buyers unable to get a grasp, let alone a foothold on the property ladder.

While the market continues to stagnate, Blundells Auction House has bucked the trend and enjoyed a very successful first year in business.

We have held three auctions in 2008 with more than £4m worth of property being sold under the hammer and 90% of all lots sold.
Lettings have also grown from strength to strength with monthly rents being a more affordable option.

Looking forward to 2009, we predict that we are in for a rough ride for at least the first six months of the year. Hopefully with the provision of better mortgage products we will see an improvement towards the end of the year with things starting to level out and look brighter as we head towards 2010.

Hermann Beck
Co-owner of the Holiday Inn Royal Victoria

It is extremely difficult to comment with any confidence about the economic status with such tumultuous changes happening on an almost daily basis. The hotel sector nationally has been hit hard by recessionary conditions as businesses and leisure confidence dips.
The indications are that Sheffield's economic activity is performing stronger than most core cities, and this is reflected in the figures reported by Sheffield hoteliers.

Accordingly, whilst Sheffield hoteliers' business expenditure figures are down, they are ahead of the national trend. Discretionary leisure expenditure has dramatically reduced, in line with national trends and Sheffield hoteliers are increasingly struggling at weekends.

Looking into 2009, one would have hoped that the strength of Sheffield manufacturing base, combined with a favourable exchange rate, and low interest rates, should continue to stimulate business activity.

The hotel sector will, I believe, have a challenging year, particularly with four new properties entering into the Sheffield market place.

How responsibly the sector deals with such conditions will determine whether there will be casualties or not.

If business leaders and hoteliers recognise the importance of a viable hotel sector to Sheffield and room rates remain in line with current performance, then the sector will be able to manage the drop in occupancy due to the new entrants and the sector will remain strong, albeit less profitable.

The next six months I predict will be particularly tough, but I am optimistic that the outlook for Sheffield is better than for most core cities.

Nigel Tomlinson
Chief executive of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce

Life's vicissitudes have dealt Sheffield Chamber of Commerce a see-saw of a year – from the absolute triumph of winning Chamber of the Year in the British Chambers' national awards to the tribulations of a recession that threatens to trample on the aspirations of our member businesses.

On the one hand, the last 12 months have been the Chamber's best for a long time in terms of meeting the needs of our record 2,600 membership and having top awards to show for it. On the other, the uncertainty and concern of economic gloom, while not quite fencing us in, has certainly slowed our ambitions.

Our most effective weapon to use against the recession is one we have deployed for 150 years or more – responding positively to change and particularly the way that change dictates the requirements of members.

So, true to tradition, we will be officially launching this month a Business Recovery Service to shepherd our businesses through the ravages of the recession. With the help of some of the Chamber's 2,600 members and ten patrons, we will be aiming to support members in such a way that they will emerge from the bad times in a relatively reasonable state of affairs.

The project will use the specialist knowledge of organisations who will offer themselves as 'leaders' in their sector – for example in finance, tax, manufacturing, sport and leisure or health – and act as mentors to support the business community.

In a year that has seen us become the fastest growing Chamber in the UK, we move into 2009 with great optimism that our aim to increase the prosperity of our members will not be thwarted.

Ian Bromley
Chief executive of Creativesheffield

2009 is set to be a challenge for everyone. However, we need to ensure Sheffield remains competitive.

I think that networks will take prime importance in the coming year.

Those businesses and individuals who secure the most intelligent networks, work collaboratively with both the public and private sectors, share risks and, consequently, remain innovative will be most likely to ride out the economic downturn.

Use Sheffield's networks, get online and get connected. Social media offers a fantastic opportunity to engage your customers and clients, get people talking about your business and ultimately increase turnover.

The likes of Linked In, which provides online professional networking and allows you to stay in contact with past and present business associates, is a priceless tool encouraging you to make and maintain valuable connections.

Nothing compares to good, old-fashioned face-to-face networking to meet people and make things happen. Sheffield is awash with networks to get involved in, such as Pro-Sheffield, Sheffield Business Club, Common Purpose, Sheffield China Business Network, Women's Entrepreneurs Network, Trade Sheffield, The Managing Directors Club, and many more.

The Wig & Pen is also holding valuable business networking lunches on the first Wednesday of every month where members of Creativesheffield will also be keen to make contacts and get connected.

If we maintain resilient, agile and proactive networks on a local, regional and national scale, Sheffield will continue to innovate and, as a result, maintain the development of our city's economy.

Andy Ward
Sheffield Markets

2008 has seen difficult trading for all retailers across the UK, including markets. However, here in Sheffield footfall has increased by over 17,000 customers each month. An extensive advertising campaign in 2008 to promote Sheffield Markets has certainly reminded customers that markets are a great alternative, especially when looking for value for money.

The hugely successful Continental Markets see Sheffield as one of their main venues and will back on Fargate on three occasions in 2009. The Farmers Market is now held on the fourth Thursday of every month.

During 2008 we changed the day from Sunday to Thursday following a drop in customers. The change has seen an increased interest in the market from new traders and customers alike.

Sheffield Markets in 2008 have seen difficult trading which according to reports is likely to continue into 2009 but hopefully the steps taken in 2008 will provide a sustainable basis for next year.

Simon Bailey
Marketing manager, Sheffield Arena

It has been a very busy year, our most financially successful year since the building opened in 1991. The venue has always been flexible to meet the varied demands of the very diverse shows that play here but this year we invested heavily to enable us to drape all the seats in the building and to give us an extra floor capacity of 1,500 spaces, increasing the overall floor standing capacity to over 5,000.

This work has also enabled us to increase the venue capacity which was played to for the first time at the two sell-out Oasis gigs which were performed in front of over 13,000 fans per night in October.

Last year's highlights include the sell-out 60,000 customers that came to see the year's cultural phenomenon High School Musical, a venue record-breaking four nights of comedy with Lee Evans performing to over 40,000 people and 11 nights of reality TV heaven with sell-out Strictly Come Dancing and Torvill & Dean's Dancing on Ice tours.

2009 is already looking very positive with a number of prestigious shows that are playing only a handful of UK cities such as Cirque du Soliel's Quidam that is performing in Sheffield in April and Walking With Dinosaurs in July a show which is based on the award-winning BBC TV series that will see real size dinosaurs come to life.

Some of the world's biggest international stars, such as Tina Turner, Il Divo, Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Bob Dylan and Cliff Richard & The Shadows are on sale and we are confident of another record breaking year.

Angela Galvin
Chief executive, Sheffield Theatres

THE Lyceum autumn season saw 10 shows out of 11 hitting their sales targets so indications are that people are spending and still want entertainment, perhaps more so in times of economic gloom. As with other charities, in this past year we have seen a decline in corporate and trust giving but individuals are being incredibly generous and we are trading at a profit from catering and fundraising events.

This has been a difficult year for many arts organisations but there are positives to be taken from 2008. The capital funding for the Crucible redevelopment is secured; we remain on time, on programme and on budget for the Crucible's refurbishment. Corporate clients are currently queueing up to make use of the exciting new facilities on offer when the Crucible re-opens and 2009 will see us hiring more staff to cope with the demands of the World Snooker championships and the new Crucible season.

We are yet to see the effect that the current climate will have on our new spring season but we have developed strong relationships with significant theatrical producers, including securing the return of the Royal Shakespeare Company to Sheffield after a 10 year absence, so there are many reasons for cautious optimism at Sheffield Theatres in 2009.

Brandon Jones
Deputy managing director, First buses

We set ourselves five key goals in 2008: further safety improvement, passenger growth, improve on service punctuality, more vehicle investment and to develop partnerships. I'm pleased that we have made good progress in all these areas, although there is still work to do.

We have seen improvements in all our key safety and environmental targets and continue to progress safety culture across our business. We were particularly proud to win the South Yorkshire Care4Air Business Award this year. A record year of investment introduced £10m of new low emission double deck buses in Sheffield, which together with better punctuality and driver training has helped deliver passenger growth and higher levels of customer satisfaction. The first Statutory Quality Partnership in the country and the groundbreaking Sheffield Agreement has shown how partnership can successfully deliver improvements to public transport.

2009 will bring further challenges and bus operators such as First are not immune from the current economic downturn. We have an important role to play with our partners at the transport executive and the council to further improve public transport and in particular bus punctuality.

David Lewis
Executive director of Sheffield Springs and Sheffield Park Academies

Credit crunch? Surely the safest place for young people to be at the moment is in full-time education and training.

At both Sheffield Springs and Sheffield Park Academies, located on the Manor and Arbourthorne estates, this is exactly the message we are giving to our young people.

They and their families, together with many others, are fully aware of possible repercussions in the jobs market and more and more students are making the wise decision to stay on in the sixth form.

Not only are they able to take more academic qualifications leading to university, where they can emerge fully equipped to pursue their chosen careers (in a hopefully-thriving economy), but they can also learn new skills and trades in areas such as construction, engineering, health and social care.

Post-16 courses offered at Sheffield Academies include 30 A-levels, ranging from music, psychology and science, through to English, maths and art, as well as vocational courses at levels 1, 2 and 3 in areas such as sports, travel and tourism, and catering. Again, the belief is that the global and national economy will be well on the way to recovery by the time they emerge from school in 2010 or 2011.

In brief, our role at the academies is to make sure our students are fully equipped with the best possible skills and qualifications to play their full part once the upturn begins.

Helen Broadbent
General manager of Ponds Forge

We've had a good year and the timely nature of our £3m refurbishment will support us as we head into 2009.

The investment in the leisure pool facilities and fitness studios plus a brand new Fitness Unlimited gym and spa area was a major highlight – but perhaps its true value to Sheffield International venues will become apparent in 2009.

Our Fitness Unlimited membership package is still considered incredibly good value for money and at a time when people are collectively tightening belts the large-scale renovation could not have been timed better.

We have seen membership figures rise by more than 55% since January. Leisure swimming is holding its own with the new Family Swim Ticket supporting this and we look forward to welcoming new swimmers as people take advantage of the subsidised lesson scheme recently announced by Sheffield City Council.