'Summer in The Outdoor City' announced as Sheffield set for huge five month festival of events, shows and much more

Summer in The Outdoor City will run from June to October and will offer music, art, theatre, market stalls plus food and drink traders, all in Covid secure events.

It's aimed at attracting residents back into the city centre, enticing visitors and supporting businesses hit by the pandemic and it will also be a welcome boost for families having a Sheffield staycation this year.

There are events planned for summer, both the city centre and district shopping centres, but also long term ambitions. Here are some of the highlights to look forward to:

The Children's Hospital

It aims to build on the success of the Herd of Sheffield and extend the planned Bear Trail to Broomhill, Endcliffe Park, Woodseats, Firth Park.

Division Street

An ‘Alfresco Avenue’ could be piloted where parts of the road are closed to create a semi-permanent zone for outdoor markets.

The ambition is to create a new market on the last Saturday of each month to create a safe space for customers to buy from independent businesses as well as temporary stalls and traders showcasing high quality, independent makers, artists, and street food traders to complement the permanent shops and cafes.

Tudor Square

Sheffield Theatres has a long-term ambition to create a 'Covent Garden of Sheffield' - a year-round attraction based in the currently under-used square which is an area ripe for additional footfall and activity.

A European Piazza style space would have free events as well as pop-up food and markets.

Accessibility would be a core focus with events focused at specific groups, such as people living with Alzheimer’s or autism.

The goal is to build a year-round tourist attraction that becomes the centrepiece of the city with family friendly and inclusive events.

The Events Collective

This aims to deliver a set of free large scale events and smaller satellite events, in partnership with a host of organisations, groups and businesses.

A pop-up market would include entertainment covering music and arts performances, product and skills demonstrations. Food and drinks traders would include bars and local produce makers. The project would help smaller businesses be part of this programme.

Orchard Square

There are craft markets, family-focused art events, music gigs and food stalls planned, aimed at providing employment for creative freelancers and to increase revenue and footfall for businesses in the Square.

The shops will support the project and provide tie-ins such as 20 per cent off deals.

The Leadmill

The Leadmill is leading a collaboration of Grassroots Music Venues in the city to create three different acoustic music trails.

These will encompass a minimum of 30 locations across 15 independent venues, with three routes proposed.

Route one takes in the city centre, Devonshire Street, West Street

Route two is the Millenium Galleries, Hallam University Concourse, Castlegate through to Kelham Island and Neepsend

And route three is Abbeydale Road through to Sharrowvale and Ecclesall Road

University of Sheffield

The University, Sheffield Theatres, the Leadmill and Yellow Bus Events are combining to bring performance music and theatre to Tudor Square.

A mix of local talent in music, theatre and dance will be co-curated by the partners over five weekends from June to October.

The idea is to produce a mix of theatre, music and dance, university programming and Off the Shelf to attract a wide audience into the city centre and encourage a local and regional audience to come back.

The retail, leisure, hospitality and culture sector has been significantly impacted through Covid and this seeks to support these and bring back creativity and tourism in the city.

Walkley

The arts trail will be extended on a route from Upperthorpe up to South Road/Howard Road via Ruskin Park, including artworks and street theatre events by local artists.

There will be more capacity for local businesses to trade outdoors through additional market stalls and there will be an online directory/map of Walkley businesses, sole traders, artists and makers.

There are also plans to fund a relaunch of the Walkley Festival on a bigger scale in 2022, building on the history of the area and its community.

Broomhill

The Traders Association wants to re-invigorate and re-engage customers and residents and create a new sense of optimism, positivity and pride in the area.

Plans include making improvements to the streetscene and environment: commissioning local artists to create murals; installing vibrant planters, Welcome to Broomhill signs and a community noticeboard.

A set of seasonal events is also planned along with a welcome pack for students advertising local businesses.

Firth Park

The Family Friendly Firth Park Project brings together businesses, residents, community organisations, alongside the Business Forum.

It plans to improve the appearance, accessibility and amenities of the area as well as making community events a focal point.

Hillsborough

Businesses have a long-term vision to regenerate their District Centre, creating a vibrant place where visitors want to go and spend time.

They want to make changes to the streetscene and amenities as well as create a formal Business Forum.

Plans include commissioning local artists to decorate shutter fronts and installing seating, toilets and extra bins.