Expert Office Advice

Vital facts and key information for businesses considering relocation to or setting up an office in Sheffield.

Sheffield City, named after the river that runs through it (River Sheaf), is internationally known for its steel industry. In recent years though the local industry has declined and the city has widened its economic base transforming itself to a technology and sporting city.

Population
513,234 (Census 2001)

Migration, immigration, ethnic diversity, basic population demographics
• Ethnicity: White (91.23%), Mixed (1.6%), Asian or Asian British (4.56%), Black or Black British (1.78%), Chinese or Other (0.83%)
• Religion: Christian (68.55%), No religion (17.9%), Muslim (4.64%)
• 91.72% of the population were born in England while 3.11% come from other parts of EU and the rest (5.17%) coming from other parts of the world.

Unemployment/employment rate
• 58.92% are employed
• 4.18% are unemployed
• The rest of the population are either students, retired, homemakers or disabled.

Average income/salary
• £419.7 per week
Source: ONS annual survey of hours and earnings 2006

Location within the UK and closest major location
• Located in South Yorkshire, England.

Transport options to and within
• Sheffield is well connected to other parts of the country via national and local rail, tram, local buses, coaches.
• The city’s main interchanges are located in Meadowhall and the city centre.
• Sheffield has it’s own airport although it doesn’t have international flights.

Closest airports with average distance from town/city centre
• Sheffield City Airport
• Doncaster Sheffield - 18 miles
• Manchester Airport
• Leeds Bradford International Airport

Dominating sectors / industries
• Wholesale & retail trade; repair of motor vehicles - 16.92%
• Manufacturing - 15%
• Health and social work - 13.77%
• Real estate; renting and business activities - 10.45%
• Census 2001 - Industry of Employment

Areas that are considered to be prime business locations
• The Moor Precinct
• Fargate
• Orchard Square
• Devonshire Quarter
• Advanced Manufacturing Park
• Meadowhall shopping centre and retail park
• Ecclesall Road
• London Road
• Hillsborough
• Crystal Peaks

Major or annual business-related events
• UK Corporate Games
• Snooker Championship

Awards
• Sheffield Botanical Gardens - recipient of multiple awards including the Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Medal (2005), Entente Florale Gold Medal (2005), Nora Stucken Award (2004), and Beacon Status (2004)
• Sheffield Station - Winner of “Project of the Year” in the National Rail Award
• Sheffield Homes - Nominated for UK Housing Awards, in the ‘Excellence in Delivering Safer Neighbourhoods’ category (2006)

Restrictions
• Smoking ban (effective July 2007)

Special business benefits/dispensations
• Transitional Relief
• Small Business Rate Relief
• Mandatory Relief
• Discretionary Relief
• Hardship Rate Relief
• Rural Rate Relief
• Occupied Properties Exempt from Rating
• Unoccupied Properties Exempt from Rating

• Industrial Exemption
• Small Rateable Value Exemption
• Occupation Prohibited by Law
• Vacant due to action by Local Authority or the Crown
• Listed Building or Ancient Monuments
• Deceased Persons Estate

3 best things about the location
• Part of the English Core Cities Group.
• Is one of the fastest growing cities in terms of office and residential space and rents.
• £250 million invested in the city during 2005 and more coming.

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