Creativesheffield

Key Competitive Attractions

In an ideal central location, Sheffield is England`s fourth largest city. With a strong history and global reputation for quality and innovation, Sheffield`s economy is both diverse and growing:

• Highest potential levels of grant assistance of any English city
• Independently benchmarked as one of the UK`s most cost-effective locations
• Total office occupancy rates 40% less than London
• Salary costs 30% lower than London
• Two of the UK`s leading universities (University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University) and Sheffield College, one of the largest further education colleges in Europe
• World class research in medical technology, nanotechnology, engineering, materials, digital technologies
• Home to research and technology organisations including TWI, Castings Technology International, Glass Technology Services, Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
• Student population of >60,000 each year
• Least congested English city (source: GVA Grimley)
• Five international airports within 1 hour`s travelling time
• Excellent rail connections to London and major cities
• At the heart of the motorway network
• Supertram - a fast, reliable and clean mode of transport - used by 36,000 people daily
• Digital Region - unrivalled UK broadband capability
• One of the safest cities in the UK
• England`s greenest city - the only English city with a national park within its boundary - the Peak District
• Award-winning cultural attractions, including The Crucible Theatre, Millennium Galleries, Winter Garden
• A sporting city, hosting several major events every year
• Major entertainment venues, including Sheffield Arena and Sheffield City Hall.

Assistance and Support For New Business Investors

Creative Sheffield has a dedicated team, to provide free, confidential, tailored support to both established local businesses and companies considering locating in Sheffield for the first time.

Property
Comprehensive commercial property search service and provision of associated oncost information.

Financial Assistance
Advice in identifying and securing appropriate financial support for any stage of business development, including grants (for capital, salaries, R & D and training), loans and venture capital. Sheffield is currently one of only two English cities offering the highest potential level of grant assistance through the Grant for Business Investment scheme (GBI).

People & Skills
Creative Sheffield offers a unique HR consultancy service to help recruit the right people for your business, and identify training and development needs.

Relocation Support
Relocation support for key personnel and their families, including home searches, accessing places for children at local schools, and identifying job opportunities for partners.

Statutory Services
Creative Sheffield has close working relationships with the service functions of Sheffield City Council and other key public authorities. We can offer practical advice and facilitate access to the statutory services you need to become established in the city.

Ongoing Support
Following your relocation to Sheffield, you can still access the support services of Creative Sheffield, to help embed, grow and develop your activities here.

"The attitude and co-operation of the local authorities in Sheffield is a shining example to the rest of the UK of how to attract inward investment."
Barry Hibbert, Chief Executive, Polestar Group

Existing Business Base

Sheffield is globally synonymous with quality and innovation. The Sheffield of today has a growing economy, which is currently more diverse than ever in history. In addition to advanced manufacturing, which still plays a key role in our economy, other areas of strength have developed, including digital & new media, outsourcing and healthcare technology.

Advanced Manufacturing
As the UK centre for advanced manufacturing, Sheffield remains home to many of the world`s most innovative engineering organisations. With both universities strong in engineering, an Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and an unrivalled heritage in the steel industry, Sheffield remains a vital player in the world of manufacturing.

Digital & New Media
Sheffield has been working to support the growth of creative businesses for over 25 years. Physical infrastructure and support networks have become very well established, and the industry is now growing faster than anywhere else in the UK, in terms of specialist companies and new jobs. Sheffield is a city packed full of exciting ideas and successful new-media businesses.

Business Services
Sheffield has a significant base of business, financial and professional services. Leading law firms, DLA, Nabarro, Irwin Mitchell and Halliwells have strategic operations in the city. Our biggest private sector employers include Capita, the UK`s leading outsourcing company, and HSBC, whose European IT centre is based in Sheffield.

Sheffield is also a key hub of Government operations - Home Office, DCSF, DBIS, DWP, HMRC, Capital for Enterprise, Environment Agency, Natural England and others have a significant presence here.