'A Covent Garden of Sheffield': City to host major festival this summer as organisers pledge to make it the ultimate tourist destination

Exciting events which will bring Sheffield alive this summer will make it a city break destination for visitors, organisers have said.

Council chiefs have reassured people that the Summer in the Outdoor City festival, which runs from June to October, has been approved by public health bosses.

The majority of it will take place outdoors with markets, independent traders, food stalls, art and theatre performances and live music.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The council hopes to attract residents back to the city centre, boost tourism and support businesses following the pandemic. Footfall in town is currently a fifth lower than pre-Covid times.

Exciting events which will bring Sheffield alive this summer will make it a city break destination for visitors, organisers have said.Exciting events which will bring Sheffield alive this summer will make it a city break destination for visitors, organisers have said.
Exciting events which will bring Sheffield alive this summer will make it a city break destination for visitors, organisers have said.

Council officer Ben Morley told an Executive meeting: “These proposals have been run past our public health team to make sure that they are not contributing negatively in terms of Covid.

“A range of activities will attract footfall into our district centres and city centre and will promote Sheffield and try to establish it as a city break location. People aren’t travelling abroad but holidays are increasingly important.

“Funding will be provided directly to local businesses who are going to be involved in running these events.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“In terms of council contributions, it’s largely external funding which we’ve secured and it’s around £750,000

Read More
How Labour can win back lost support in South Yorkshire – Oliver Coppard

“We’re dealing with funding from the government, European funding, our own £2m economic recovery fund and other pots we have available to deliver this significant programme of activity which hopefully will be a great success for the months to come.”

Division Street could be turned into an ‘Alfresco Avenue’ with parts of the road closed to create a semi-permanent zone for outdoor markets.

And the Leadmill is looking to create three acoustic music trails taking in the city centre, Kelham Island, Abbeydale Road, Sharrowvale and Ecclesall Road.

Events are also planned for district centres, including Walkley, Hillsborough and Firth Park.

Related topics: