I think Sheffield is fantastic, I'm proud to live here. So proud that I'm currently in the middle of a third year dissertation project about Sheffield, for my university degree.

I'm investigating the sense of place in Sheffield and its character.

Do you think Sheffield has a unique sense of place?
If yes, what gives it this?....is it a feeling, a place, architecture, shops, events, people, pubs and clubs, it can be anything!
Lastly, what do you think about the future of Sheffields character, is it under threat from planned developments such as the new retail quarter?
Or does Sheffield really really need a face lift?

All opinions and questions welcome!

I think it's the people firstly but also the new developments add to it's uniqueness. When I was growing up ( during the Thatcher years:gag: ) it seemed quite depressed due to declining industry etc but now Sheffield has re- invented itself and become more of an up & coming city to rival other big cities. It's been an hard struggle but we are getting somewhere now.

As Rivlin6 said, it's the people.

I moved here from Wakefield in 1983 to attend Poly, and never left. Love it.

The reason I stayed was safety.

Even though, as a long haired 'hippy', I was set upon by the local skinheads in the bus station one night while waiting for the bus back to Wakefield after traveling to see a show at the City Hall, the City was much safer than Wakefield.

But then things changed. They used to have their own corner at Sheff1 and were nice as pie.

I'm a 'skin head' now due to hairloss :thumbsup:

Welcome to the forum pin.

Like the above said. Sheffield is like a village, with city size.
And its a 24 hour city! (but not at night) (and not when students go home in summer)

ash

You know when someone butters you up, they want something. I thought there was something wrong when I read the title thread... it was not moaning about Sheffield, but almost praising it ! You can tell this one's an out of towner. ;)

Sheffield has a community. It spreads. People are friendly cos there's nothing to steal. Standard of living is okay, and we're the people who commits the crime. :hihi: So... we're so happy cos we're out of the industrial Thatcherite years. Woo-hoo !!

Actually, I still remember the depressive early 90s. People were still happy. Fairly.

I've only lived here for 3 years and I think that Sheffield doesn't actually feel like a city, (compared to say Manchester) but instead like several little mini-towns, each with their own characteristics

.......to answer your question.......


yes it does

People and pubs make Sheffield. We also have the Peak district & Derbyshire on our doorstep. My brother in Law is American and he loved Sheffield when he first came here.He says you just dont get the atmosphere in bars over in the U.S.A.

[QUOTE=Bago]You know when someone butters you up, they want something. I thought there was something wrong when I read the title thread... it was not moaning about Sheffield, but almost praising it ! You can tell this one's an out of towner. ;)

just a quick wee note.....I was born in Sheffield and have lived here all my life! hence my interest in the place!

Hi,

I'm not actually from Sheffield but I visit quite alot. Don't get me wrong......I do like the place. But I think the answer to your question is pretty much....no. I think its really hard for anywhere to have a unique identity today because of globalisation,we do now live in a 'global village' and everywhere just ends up looking the same, having the same shops, and allright the bars might have different names but they are all essentially the same. And I think the shame here is that when this happens, places just become copies of each other, there's no choice.

Sorry.....but to me the place is just a bit bland and repetitive. The only thing that makes it different from any other industrial city in the UK is its name.

just a quick wee note.....I was born in Sheffield and have lived here all my life! hence my interest in the place!
I was just pulling your leg. :)
Surely you must know the reasons too ? How do you perceive it ?

thenat: I agree that shopping-wise it looks the same. However, I don't know whether it is because I've lived here a long time too that I do feel a relation to it. I would be more at ease in Sheffield, than I would in other cities. Why is that ? Sometimes I ponder over things like this. I've travelled to a lot of different cities in the UK too, and they don't feel the same. Sheffield is not a small village like in Wales either.

Sheffield is also similar in a way to my parent's place abroad. It has that kind of close-knit community where people may know you, and are more friendly in a way. I'd imagine this may be similar in other communities dotted around the UK. It is nice to go somewhere where you're more relaxed, and people probably know you. (Actually, I don't quite like that in Sheffield, but...) Where my parents are, people have met me, I know their kids, and it is kind of nice to have this kind of roots. Even on a global scale, you don't feel so alone. Sheffield is similar. just that I've not met as many people here. Though, I always end up talking to someone who knows someone who knows someones, which is quite eery ! I guess it is only a small place. Small enough to feel like a community, but yet big enough to make yourself disappear.

Yeah and I think even if you don't know people they can be pretty friendly...you can always end up having a good chat to a randomer. There's definately more of that than you get down south!

And it is definately easier to feel more relaxed in your own city, even if its just because you know where everything is!

I was just worried that with all our new shiny posh apartments and office blocks and the new retail quarter that is being planned that we're turning into abit of a follower of manchester and leeds....i want Sheffield to stay different!

I've lived in Sheffield for over 2 years. I think it's good that they are giving the city a makeover, some of the old buildings that are no longer used, look awful.

I also love the fact that you can just drive for about 10 mins out of the city and you are in the countryside, I think it definately makes up for all the shiny new appartment buildings (which I hope they keep to the centre only).

Oh and I forgot to say, people are definately a lot more friendly up here than down south and will actually give you the time of day.

Yeah i think thats true with any place.....the longer you've lived there the bigger your attachment and the more comfortable you feel.

To people who have lived in Sheffield for a long time or all their lives i'm sure they see a unique character and sense of place there because they know more about the little things I maybe don't see when i'm in Sheffield. Are there any independant businesses really in the city centre? Thats just what I find most dissapointing, that the main high street could've been cut and pasted from anywhere else. I think the development money should go to somehow restoring a bit of individuality........not really sure how though!!

I was just worried that with all our new shiny posh apartments and office blocks and the new retail quarter that is being planned that we're turning into abit of a follower of manchester and leeds....i want Sheffield to stay different!
Well, I suppose I've not really lived in the city centre of Sheffield to make my comments more valid, but I have lived in Manchester, and I frequent Leeds a lot. Sheffield does not have that 'edge' about it. I don't know why that is. It is a little bit more family-orientated for sure.

I understand why you think it's better to have a different kind of city. I think I would like that too, but having read some posts here and there on the SF about other people's opinions of Sheffield. I do think that it is hard to maintain an individual city without going through the regeneration phase. Which means cloning unfortunately. Manchester has already regenerated from a city that's left behind the clothing industry. (Can't remember what Leeds was famous for now.)

More often than not, what works in one city, will be repeated in another. Especially if there are contractors who will work with the government again and again in each and individual city. If there was a creative contractor, then they would've taken the city's own 'vibe' and continue with that kind of development. Saying that, we're not doing too badly. I see some public structures which adhere to the city's steel industrial past.

Anyone else??? is sheffield unique???

No then, nevermind!

I came to visit my sister for the weekend and i've been here ever since and that was in 1995, I do like sheffield people but I think they've got some of the worst drivers in the world does anyone else agree or is it just me.

Certainly has something to make it the city with the highest student retntion rate in the country!

Aye Sheffield is amazing!! The fact that loads and loads of students stick around and build their lives here after they have finished uni almost says it all. Does wonders for our culture too, otherwise it'd all be more inbred and chavvy like non-university towns/citys.

As has been already said esp by Bago, it don't feel like a city but more of a town vibe. im constantly meeting people that know peopel and bands that i do. Its great unless you've f**ked people about alot! haha

Also: The Music 'scene' has to be the most friendly and intimate in teh country.. Awww, we should all have a big hug!!

I think that manc and Leeds feel claustrophic and dirty like london so have never been a fan of them. Im not sure about all the flats being erected left right and centre though cos they are horrible! yuk yuk yuk...

Sheffield does have a unique character - the tendency of its folks to moan about Leeds simply out of pure envy.

Sheffield is just a friendly place full stop compared to other major cities. A side from that, if i was still a student i would use my degree and make serious money as in sheffield i feel it is very hard to do.

I realise this thread's been dead for a while, but thought I'd kick it off again with a question.

Why? Well, I need to renew my faith in the place I've chosen to live, because some of the negatives I've been hearing recently are getting to me. Some of the negatives are about Yorkshire folk in general, but others are about Sheffielders in particular.

What have I heard?

"If you can't hit it with a hammer, the people of Sheffield wouldn't understand". Are Sheffielders any more stupid than folk from say Leeds?

Yorkshire folk have "deep pockets and short arms". "'Compared with Lancashire, Yorkshire folk seem money-lovers." (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/Misc/Books/FolkTalk/Chapter9.html) Put at it's most positive, this means "thrift". Nobody admires anyone who has more money than sense (do they?) but wouldn't the Yorkshire character be better served by being known for generosity rather than being "tight"?

I was brought up just down the road in Chesterfield. It amuses me when Sheffielders talk about the Peak District ... well that ain't Sheffield love, and it ain't even the same county! Come to Sheffield - it only takes 10 minutes to get to Derbyshire! It's not much of an ad for Sheffield is it?

Yorkshire folk "speak their mind" but this is often just an excuse for rudeness. My ex-girlfriend didn't need to keep reminding me about my father's problems with alcohol. What she was saying was the truth (and nobody was denying it), but people don't need to have the truth rubbed in their face, do they?

If a woman asked "does this make my bum looks big?" ... do you think it is more likely that a Yorkshireman, rather than anyone else who would say, "no love it's your bum that makes your bum look big". Are Yorkshire folk less sensitive (more cruel)?

"'They seem cautious in all their sayings and doings." "'They are very sociable and friendly with one another, but are suspicious of strangers."

So what I'd like to ask is - What are the most POSITIVE characteristics about Yorkshire and Sheffield in particular? What can be done to dispel the stereotypes of tightness, insensitivity, caution and suspicion?

It's absolutely great to be able to laugh about yourself ... but do these comedy sketches have too much (negative) truth in them ... http://www.vavavita.co.uk/Funnies/0707/Yorkshire%20Character.aspx ???

Do you think Sheffield has a unique sense of place?

Definitely. Having lived in other cities the thing that instantly springs to mind are the number of parks in Sheffield, and the Peak District. Sheffield is said to be the greenest city in Europe, with more trees and parks than any other city.

I love the design industry here. The Designers Republic and Universal Everything have produced incredible work and are known throughout the world.

Think about the music this city has produced. Cabaret Voltaire were pioneers of industrial electronic music, Richard H Kirk is still making some great stuff. Warp Records started here. Human League. LFO. Pulp. Icould go on.

The clubbing scene here is something that disappoints me, though that is due in part to some of the better venues closing (Matilda Social Centre, Arches). The era of the superclub has ended and for me, the recent fire at Gatecrasher is the beginning of a new chapter. I hope they come back with some new ideas. I'm often told that it's better in Manchester/Leeds/Newcastle/etc but having been out regularly in those cities I'm not so sure. The declining interest in clubs isn't symptomatic of Sheffield, it seems to be happening everywhere. What I think Leeds and Manchester have over us is a greater number of medium sized venues. That said, I question whether there are enough people in Sheffield to fill new venues, particularly in summer when the student population vanishes.

A special mention must go to Sid & Mallory's clothes shop. Every city in the UK needs a place like this. Generally I like the independent attitude of these places.

What do you think about the future of Sheffields character?

It's sad to see lots of toytown office buildings spring up, especially when they replace great old buildings with character. There was an article on BBC website about the architecture in Leeds, talking about how the council there are approving "the slums of tomorrow". The same could be said of Sheffield.

Some of the clubs here need a shot in the arm too. We don't need any more soulless trendy bars or clubs playing funky house and student cheese.

especially when they replace great old buildings with character.

Err, where?

Err, where?

I like old factories, places like Matilda Social Centre, The Arches, cooling towers etc.

As others have said before me its the people.
Our friendliness to others and our proudness to come from 'The Big Village'.
Being surrounded by countryside is a real bonus as well.
We have a sense of history too - the part the city played in steel manufacturing, the war effort, cutlery and coal mining.
And our ability to look to the future and not be bothered that the past is the past and how the city is changing.
A hell of a lot of students stay after graduating which is testement to the city's appeal.
I love it.

Oh aye, one more thing - you gotta love a place where everyone says thankyou to the bus driver when alighting!