But there’s still plenty to smile about in Sheffield, so we’ve put together this list of 10 of the funniest or most uplifting things about the city in an attempt to provide some much-needed cheer. From a foul-mouthed parrot to the World Water Bombing Championships and some brilliantly named streets and shops, they perfectly capture the great sense of humour, spirit of generosity and eccentricity for which the Steel City is known.
9. Murals
Sheffield is home to some amazing street art, including several colourful murals by the local legend Pete McKee. He is pictured here working on Muriel, a new mural on the side of the Art House on Carver Street, in 2018, but his best-loved oversized creation is probably The Snog, which graces the side of Fagan's pub in Sheffield city centre Photo: Scott Merrylees
10. Letsby Avenue
Who says the police don't have a sense of humour? Someone clearly did when naming the road in Tinsley, Sheffield, during the late 1990s which would be home to the South Yorkshire Police Operations Complex. Letsby Avenue was the name they chose - a nod to the classic police officers' phrase - and it still has people smiling all these years later. Photo: Marie Caley
11. Louis the foul-mouthed parrot
All pubs have their characters and at the Nailmakers Arms in Norton, Sheffield, that character is an African grey parrot called Louis. He has picked up a foul mouth - or beak - from watching Sky movies. He utters the F-word so frequently that landlord Andy Ashby has had to place a notice at the bar near the bird warning visitors: “I swear. Please don’t be offended." Photo: Dean Atkins