Do you know of any small businesses that deserve a cheer?

What are they called?
What do they do?
Where are they?

Particularly shops and services, as we're more likely to go looking for a large familiar chain than 'risk' trying something unknown.

Smack Me Down

if need be

but I like your avatar.

what is it?

I nominate Independent Recovery Services


Vehicle Recovery / Sheffield /

Fast rescue in my hour of need at a fair price too !

Originally posted by cgksheff
Smack Me Down

if need be

but I like your avatar.

what is it?

It's a pastel drawing of a pandrol clip mangled through paintshop pro6 a couple of times.

Betcha still none the wiser! :hihi: (Does that count as a smack? :suspect: )

Thanks.

Ooooooopphhaaahhh.

I think that'll get over the smack.

Sorry!

Sandman is a free monthly music and arts magazine that has been going for a couple of years. I don't always agree with what it says or some of the things it covers but at least they are doing it and it has been a big factor in getting sheffield music up and going again.

FOB coffee shop is great

Erm, can I nominate the Classic Rock Bar?

Small and independent (sole trader), we've let 4000+ musicians play to an audience in the last two years - we've provided a platform for local talent to perform.

Originally posted by Classic Rock
Erm, can I nominate the Classic Rock Bar?

Small and independent (sole trader), we've let 4000+ musicians play to an audience in the last two years - we've provided a platform for local talent to perform.
No because you have a bias view with it being your business.
It's kinda like me voting www.mobileunlocked.co.uk or www.ringtoneunlocked.co.uk or www.futurecelltech.com or www.unlocksamsung.co.uk or www.unlocksamsung.com which you'll not see me doing :blush:

Originally posted by Strix
It's a pastel drawing of a pandrol clip mangled through paintshop pro6 a couple of times.

Betcha still none the wiser! :hihi: (Does that count as a smack? :suspect: )
I'm with ya! Used to do IT and stuff at Pandrol, know all about those clips but I'd never guess that was one in your avatar!

I nominate me as an excellent small business BTW ;)

Sharp's Fruit & Veg at the bottom of The Moor. Always good stuff at a cheaper price than the supermarkets, although the guy who owns it is a miserable bugger. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by owdlad
Sharp's Fruit & Veg at the bottom of The Moor. Always good stuff at a cheaper price than the supermarkets, although the guy who owns it is a miserable bugger. :thumbsup:

Umm, I wouldn't. Each time I've bought their fruit it hasn't been that cheap and a lot of it on the shelves has been beyond its best. Sorry, cannot agree with you.

Originally posted by DaBouncer
No because you have a bias view with it being your business.
It's kinda like me voting www.mobileunlocked.co.uk or www.ringtoneunlocked.co.uk or www.futurecelltech.com or www.unlocksamsung.co.uk or www.unlocksamsung.com which you'll not see me doing :blush:

I think you've promoted yourself pretty well there DB. :o

Originally posted by Classic Rock
I think you've promoted yourself pretty well there DB. :o
Cheers Buffy ;)

Strix - where's your sense of adventure.

How on earth do you think those "....large familiar chains" got where they are now without their customers having the courage to try them out.

I nominate my OWN business and I am not ashamed to do so.

Candy Kiss Limited, Sheffield's new on line shopping emporium.

Visit www.candy-kiss.co.uk,

Love Life, Play Safe, Stay SEXY

The link isnae working Hellboy

Ooops...got a bit carried away, fingers and thumbs and all that.

Thanks

www.candy-kiss.co.uk

I would nominate Pollards Coffee Shop. It is marvellous, tasty, warm, friendly and excellent :)

Beenies in Commonside and Naturel in Crookes. Both top notch greengrocers.

also Hercule in Crookes (top cafe)

The fruit and veg shop in Broomhill is brilliant. The guy is always really friendly and the produce is cheap and fresh.

Also scotts pantry on glossop road is pretty good.

I can nominate 5 Star Treatment on Chesterfield Road, it's got great personal but professional service and the staff are helpful. They have also invested in themselves by upgrading their equipment (sun bed etc). They've got my custom anyway.

I'm nominating Stephen Bisby, the jeweller at Ridgeway Craft Centre.

He spent ages making sure we got exactly what we want in wedding rings. He makes his own stuff, and explained all about the 'lost-wax' method of casting, and ring sizing, and trials bike racing and how nice Scotland is and.......

Nice bloke. Took the time to listen to what we want too. His wife had the patience of a saint, whilst we had almost all their stock out to view!

And he recommends a shop on Ecclesall Rd - it sells only products Made in Sheffield. Does anybody know what it's called? Or better still, know their web address?

I nominate the Sportsman pub in Cambridge St - long may it be an independent pub with its own unique atmosphere - although worryingly it now has a "to let" sign outside ? !

I nominate Abbotts Cookshop on Abbeydale Road - always friendly and welcoming and very knowledgeable about all their stock. And if what you want isn't stocked, they will order it for you.

Anyone care to point out any independent shops, interesting (I mean it guys, not just your local) nights out, or special fooderies in the area?

I'm not standing for any of your 'there's a bakery on X road that does fairly ok ham sarnies' rubbish!

For starters, Jencel on Eccy road sells beads and equipment for making your own jewellery, and fantastic handmade silver jewellery. They make really funky wedding tiaras on commission too. Well worth checking out, seeing as we have a lack of the mighty 'The Bead Shop' of Covent Garden (2 floors of.....just beads)

Ooh and what happened to Enchanted Wood that was on Division Street next to the Forum? It had a glow in the dark section under the stairs, but it appears to be shut now :(

Independent Forgings & Alloys Ltd

Continuing the sheffield tradition of Forging, one of very few left and independent

look out for them on Fred Dibnah on Tuesday 12th April :D Fred visited them before he died as part of his last tour round england

www.forgedinsheffield.com

Originally posted by Patrick2000
I nominate the Sportsman pub in Cambridge St - long may it be an independent pub with its own unique atmosphere - although worryingly it now has a "to let" sign outside ? !

It has never been independent, it's a pub company pub - one of a big chain.

Originally posted by Hubert
Independent Forgings & Alloys Ltd

Continuing the sheffield tradition of Forging, [b]one of very few left and independent[\b]


I can understand why when you see there lead times!!!

I cant agree with Hercules in Crookes, never been happy with product or service, but do nominate Refresh in Broomhill

Bardwells on Abbeydale Road for all your electrical component needs.

Shah on Abbeydale Road for Indian (and other) ingredients.

The Chinese supermarket on Matilda street for oriental ingredients.

And that amazing shop in Attercliffe which is piled high with second hand machine shop bits and tools just for the experience!

airy fairy - gift shop and wonderful cafe
kick ass angel - clothes shop

both on london road!

Evolution in Orchard Square it's great little shop, specialising mainly in fair trade products (gifts and small household wares such as vases, photo frames. etc.)

i'm not sure how independent it is, but it certainly has a'small business' feel, if there is such a thing :)

Bullet on Sharrowvale Road. They have some great retro furniture, and I love them even more as I sell alot of my work there. Bless.

J H Mann - Fishmonger in Hillsborough. Really friendly guy, even comes out to serve me when I stand on the door stop as I have a dog with me. Slightly dearer than a supermarket, but I think they taste better.

Glow and Co - Light shop at Ecclesfield. I haven't bought anything from them, but my MIL saw a small table they used for display purposes. They let her have it, so long as she swapped it for another small coffee table. When I went down with her to do the swap, they seemed really nice friendly people - I also thought they were really nice to do the swap.

Ritas pantry
North Church Street
Sandwich Shop

Excellent standards. good filling sarnies, buns and pastries, pop and crisps ect all served with a polite attitude and cheery smile

And all at an excellent price too:thumbsup:

jan2002

Deli on the Wicker....

nice grub, nice people.

Originally posted by DaBouncer
No because you have a bias view with it being your business.
It's kinda like me voting www.mobileunlocked.co.uk or www.ringtoneunlocked.co.uk or www.futurecelltech.com or www.unlocksamsung.co.uk or www.unlocksamsung.com which you'll not see me doing :blush:

Ooooo have you got something to do with them? I feel ripped off I lost £4.50 trying to unlock my Samsung but it obviously doesn't work on Orange phones! (I know the site does say that it may not work on some phones/service providers, but still, maybe it should say it doesn't work on Orange ones?).

(If I'm wrong feel free to correct me).

Im nominating Autodynamics Alloy Wheels and Tyres on Attercliffe road. Went to them on recommendation. Loads cheaper and friendlier than the big chains and will spend ages with you finding what you want without being pushy.

Liz

Originally posted by purplepippa
I would nominate Pollards Coffee Shop. It is marvellous, tasty, warm, friendly and excellent :)

I second that. I've lived in Sheffield all my life, but I've only just discovered Pollards. It's Sheffield's answer to Betty's but more down to earth. It's the best place in Sheffield for tea and coffee - does anywhere else have rows and rows of tins of coffee beans and interesting teas for sale? I just love the way the staff are so knowledgable about the teas and coffees, the way they measure it out for you, the fact that they'll grind the coffee for you. It's quality you don't often get these days. Sod Starbucks, there's only one coffee shop in Sheffield with style, and that's Pollards.

I'd also give a vote for F G Thomas on Surrey Street. It's an old fashioned treasure trove of weird and wonderful shiny objects, not just pens. I bought some cracking Cuban cigars there not so long ago and a beautiful brass cigar cutter. It won't be there forever, catch it while you can.

And for north Sheffielders, I agree about Mann's the fishmongers, but I'd also like to put in a word for Funks, the pork butchers on Middlewood Road. I've been going in there since I was a kid, and I went in yesterday and it was just the same. Full of every bit of the pig you might care to think about and the best roast pork sandwiches in Hillsborough.

Originally posted by kathythebean
The fruit and veg shop in Broomhill is brilliant. The guy is always really friendly and the produce is cheap and fresh.

Also scotts pantry on glossop road is pretty good.

Wayne's!! That man spouts some pretty out-there dietary advice. Great shop.

Leah xx

Originally posted by jan2002
Ritas pantry
North Church Street
Sandwich Shop

Excellent standards. good filling sarnies, buns and pastries, pop and crisps ect all served with a polite attitude and cheery smile

And all at an excellent price too:thumbsup:

jan2002

Oh Jan? How could you recommend Rita's to the good folk on the forum? :gag:

I have never been in a more disgusting place in my life (and that's including my own home before anyone that knows me chips in! :D )

I went there ONCE, and threw my sandwich away as soon as I got to a bin. A few of my colleagues used to go regularly (although they always complained about it) and I was always amazed at the horror stories they used to come out with.

I can honestly say I would rather go hungry any day of the week than set foot in there ever again! :gag: :gag: :gag:

K x

Originally posted by Strix
And he recommends a shop on Ecclesall Rd - it sells only products Made in Sheffield. Does anybody know what it's called? Or better still, know their web address?

Don Alexander

http://www.sheffield-made.com/

Originally posted by Twiglet
Ooooo have you got something to do with them? I feel ripped off I lost £4.50 trying to unlock my Samsung but it obviously doesn't work on Orange phones! (I know the site does say that it may not work on some phones/service providers, but still, maybe it should say it doesn't work on Orange ones?).

(If I'm wrong feel free to correct me).
OK I will correct you then :P
The thing with samsung unlock codes is that they are generic, thus unlike Nokia handsets they are not generated using the handset's IMEI number.

Now Samsung in their infinate wisdom have made it impossible for about 20% of their handsets that they sell to be unlockable via remote unlock codes.
They do this by adding some extra coding into their firmware (handset software) thus preventing the generic codes from unlocking the handset.

Now there are certain generic codes which relate to the specific model of Samsung handset, so if the code for your handset didn't unlock the phone, there is no other we can try. Further more no remote code will unlock your handset.
However unfairly to you (you may feel) the next customer who visit's us and makes a purchase for the same code for the same handset on the same network it has an 80% chance of unlocking the handset.
This goes back to the firmware issues as aformentioned.

Now our Samsung Unlocking FAQ page and Term 9.9 (which must be ticked in agreement before you can access the payment page) spell out all this above so each and everyone of our customers are aware of the risks. I appreciate if you don't feel all to happy about it, but we do state that if you're in doubt, then do not purchase. Our contract is to supply the unlock codes (provided that these codes are fit for common purpose - which they are), and so long as we make everyone aware of the risks involved then our contract is fulfilled.

So in answer to your question the codes do and have worked on handsets the same as yours and locked to Orange... it's just that your handset won't accept remote codes at all due to the firmware incompatibility placed by Samsung. :(

If you want to discuss this further... feel free to PM me. I only found your comment by chance because another member pointed me to it :D

Originally posted by DaBouncer
OK I will correct you then :P
The thing with samsung handsets is that they are generic, thus unlike Nokia handsets they are not generated using the handset's IMEI number.........

:confused:

Ok, I believe you (blinded by mobile phone science)! Sorry, didn't want to try and bring the business into disrepute. I did read all the terms and conditions before I did it, and understood there was a risk. At the end of the day I was just looking for a way of unlocking cheaper than the 30-odd quid it costs to get it done down a cable. Thanks for the explanation though! :D

Originally posted by Hubert
Independent Forgings & Alloys Ltd

Continuing the sheffield tradition of Forging, one of very few left and independent

www.forgedinsheffield.com

Oh wow! and video clips too!!!!

I nominate
www.gift-therapy.co.uk

They are based in Sheffield :)

Mitchells Resprays on Westwood New Road, High Green for all your car body work and paint needs :thumbsup:

Cheap, do a fantastic job and a great set of lads!

Ish. Chesterfield road, Woodeasts.

Small buisness, built it up herself.Would recommend it to anyone needing any alterations done .

Ill vote for Scotts pantry Gloosop Road one of the still flourishing independant sandwich shops

The independent bakery in the old bank in Walkley. Fabulous bread and scrumptious cakes, sandwiches, etc.

The fish and chip shop in Woodseats - opposite The Big Tree pub. Delicious fish and chips, and no soggy batter, and always a smile given with service.

Sorry I don't the names of these two businesses.

Harrison Cameras
Harrison Cameras (http://www.harrisoncameras.co.uk/)

I hope it's pretty obvious what they do... :rolleyes:

and they're on London Road, the city side.



Originally posted by Strix
we're more likely to go looking for a large familiar chain than 'risk' trying something unknown.

Not at all, i'd rather venture into the unknown... ;)

Lily's Pork Shop on Penistone Road.

Great food and good service.


Happy days!

Hunky Dory, Ladies hairdressers on Chesterfield Rd, they did Rlass's hair for a special occasion and it looked the dogs danglies. :thumbsup:

I'm a fan of the guys who sell hats at a stall on the moor.
I believe they run a hat shop in Burngreave too.

It's aaaaallll about hats, people. :D

Originally posted by Strix
It's a pastel drawing of a pandrol clip mangled through paintshop pro6 a couple of times.

Betcha still none the wiser! :hihi: (Does that count as a smack? :suspect: )

PaintShop Pro 6 ??? Are you in the dark ages or something? Upgrade to version 9. Now Corel Paintshop Pro 9

Ooooohhhh, don't get me started on upgrading, Serapis!

I've a right AutoCAD/Windows compatibility/upgrade jar-of-worms to address before I start looking at the 'toys' installed on the PC :roll:

Kristian - I tried pm but your box is full so here goes

When did you last visit Ritas pantry ?
was it during the last year
If it was recently can you tell me what was wrong with the sarnie.

Reason for asking is it changed ownership late last year, and I am positive that Ken the owner would appreciate the feedback

Thanks

jan2002

Charles Brooks shoe shop in Broomhill. A "real" shoe shop selling quality British shoes. I've just had a pair of 3 year old shoes re-soled and they're like new. Top quality workmanship.

Opposite that is Williamson's. One of those hardware shops that always have what you want.

Originally posted by PopT
Lily's Pork Shop on Penistone Road.

Great food and good service.

I agree totally! I used to work for Lily's and they are the cleanest, friendliest shop I ever worked in. The customer always comes first, even when they are being awkward, which some really are! I still buy my sarnies and cakes from them

I think my local Chipshop in Tinsley is the best. A real moral booster and a regular place to meet old friends.

Kempka's Butchers on Abbeydale Road opposite the cinema. A proper butcher's shop. Makes his own pork pies & sausages, including garicky Polish things. An institution and very reasonably priced too.

Originally posted by noseyrosie
Ooh and what happened to Enchanted Wood that was on Division Street next to the Forum? It had a glow in the dark section under the stairs, but it appears to be shut now :(

Unfortunately it closed around New Years last year. It had been struggling for a while as it relied a lot on Student Trade and that had been slowly trickling away....

Shame really, as I'd work there quite a lot as the owner was (is) a good friend of mine - I even ended up photographing her wedding (she married a Kerrang! writer...). I used to enjoy watching the pretty people go by when I was sat in there with nothing else to do/working....

The glow in the dark section kicked ass. Now it's just a fancy pants jewellery place, I think.

Oh well, better than being another Subway!!

Bumping this thread as people are starting to think about Christmas shopping :thumbsup:

Sheffield is full of great little indpendent companies.

I like the following:

The newsagents' halfway down School Rd and the one on Crookes near St Tom's - friendly staff at both. (Also used to like the Croner Shop on School Rd but less keen since it changed hands)

Buon Deli in Broomhill

Scottie Gallery in Crookes

The cheap newsagents in Meadowhall

Scotties Gallery is a great shop and now selling photograph cards created by my very own super husband Rich951

PaintShop Pro 6 ??? Are you in the dark ages or something? Upgrade to version 9. Now Corel Paintshop Pro 9

Is that a pandrol clip made by pandrol on gateford road worksop...the type that hold down railway and tram lines.....

Is that a pandrol clip made by pandrol on gateford road worksop...the type that hold down railway and tram lines.....

OOps sorry! wrong quote....meant for the one from strix....regarding pandrol clips....soz guys!

Is that a pandrol clip made by pandrol on gateford road worksop...the type that hold down railway and tram lines.....
Only Pandrol make Pandrol clips, so yes, it is ;)

I have to repeat what I said on another thread, as it's relevant here too....

We went to Mill Farm, Ridgeway at 4.45 yesterday, expecting to do a trolley dash style shop, but was told they were open 'til 6!

We spent over £50, and he gave us a 10%(ish) discount, and a big bag of compost to help us on our way :thumbsup:

I think we'll be going there again ;)