Sheffield climbs up the top 10 of homebuyers' favourite searches since lockdown one

Some 2,127,740 people looked up the city during the pandemic, boosting its position in the top 10.

It comes as 52 per cent of Londoners searched outside the capital, up from 39 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, ‘garage’ has become the most popular keyword and a record number searched for ‘garden’.

It has been almost a year since ‘stay at home’ restrictions came in nationally.

At the time, property experts predicted Sheffield would benefit from new work patterns.

They thought people would move to Sheffield and commute to London if they only had to go into the office one or twice a week.

The city boasts cheap housing, all the amenities, a National Park on the doorstep and, from May, significant improvements to rail services to London.

Rightmove’s director of property data Tim Bannister said: “More space has always been the most common reason for people moving home, but the evolution for many from balancing their laptop on the end of a bed to making an office a permanent has led to a need for even bigger homes than before.”

Meanwhile, renters’ favourite search has shifted from two-bed flat to two-bed semi-detached house, due to the desire for more space and a garden.

East Midlands Railway has announced faster, earlier, later and more frequent connections between Sheffield and London following a campaign which united the city.

From May 16, some 20 minutes will be sliced off a morning trip to London, reducing the time from 2hr 25mins to just over two hours.

The first train to London will leave an hour earlier - just after 7am - while the last train home will leave at 11.15pm, almost an hour later than currently.

The first arrival into Sheffield will be 8am, some 25 minutes earlier than today.

And Sunday services between the two cities will be doubled on afternoons and evenings from one train an hour to two.

The changes were announced following two years of joint lobbying by Sheffield Chamber, Sheffield City Council, the City Region and others.

£500m ‘borrowing bonanza’ sparks debt fears

Ed Miliband urges government to nationalise Liberty Steel

City’s concerns ‘dismissed’ in airport link consultation

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Please take out a digital subscription or buy a paper.

Thank you. Nancy Fielder, editor.