Sheffield special status threatened

The Government is considering removing the city from a list of words which need approval as part of wider efforts to cut red tape that affects businesses.

Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield has told Mr Cable that the Cutlers Company, which acts as guardian over how businesses use the city’s name, usually makes a decision within 48 hours of receiving an application.

He said: “Granting the use of Sheffield for company names is an important quality control process that protects Sheffield’s reputation for high quality products and services.

“It is misguided to see it as ‘red tape’ and I’m concerned that scrapping this protection could lead to companies with no links to Sheffield using our city’s name.”

Chamber, register and oversight are among other words which could lose their protected status.