"Sheffield is not just the 'new Shoreditch' - it is better than that"

An article in the Sunday Times Style branded Sheffield the ‘new Shoreditch’, referencing our city’s “millennial magnet” facilities as a focal point.

These included indie chocolatier Bullion, who have taken a new large space in Neepsend, Ferraby Knives, an artisan kitchen knife maker on Harwood Street, and expansion plans for one of Sheffield’s most celebrated restaurants, Joro.

The piece outlined plans for Joro restaurant owner Luke French to open a boutique hotel with four double bedrooms and dining room at the recently completed Palatine Gardens in Shalesmoor.

On top of this, French will be involved in the opening of a new food hall – the city’s third after Kommune in Castle House, and Cutlery Works in Neepsend.

Cambridge Street in the city centre will be a diverse food destination with a rooftop bar, akin to some of Shoreditch’s landmark drinking locations.

But these are not the only “millennial magnets” the city has to offer: there is a pop-up or independent for everyone in Sheffield to enjoy, offering everything from knives and plaice (yes, the fish), to kids’ clothes.

The Fleapit Kelham is planning to open in summer serving drinks from an ice cream van, and Abbeydale Road has seen a spree of indie openings over the past couple of years – with bar Two Thirds Beer Co. and restaurant The Teller now next door to the already target destinations of Barrowboy, Picture House Social and The Broadfield pub.

This adds to the already popular artisan bakeries in the area, including Forge Bakehouse, and numerous independent cafes.

Specialist fishmongers J.H. Mann on Sharrow Vale Road will also now be opening a restaurant to add to their stall at Kommune, and the bustling Sharrow Vale in S11 has been a target destination throughout lockdowns thanks to its popular independent cafes and takeaways – including Pom Kitchen, Made by Jonty and Porter Pizza.

With florists, delis, bookshops children’s clothes retailer Trapeze Kids all now reopen, the area is very much in fashion.

S6 is also noticing an independent business boom, with a craft beer and bottle shop and a number of cafes and restaurants all deciding to open in the past year.

Despite the sad news about Sheffield’s John Lewis closing, these openings and ideas such as Leah’s Yard in the Heart of the City developments, will champion independent businesses and put Sheffield on the map – and make it even better than Shoreditch.