Sheffield’s industrial heritage has always given it relevance in the business world, but the more recent influences of urban renewal and cultural regeneration make today’s city more than just another busy conurbation, writes Ben Lerwill

The destination’s evolution – from stainless steel to the Arctic Monkeys – has resulted in smart hotels, quality restaurants and no shortage of noteworthy event spaces. Two vibrant universities give the city a young, outgoing feel, while a two-hour rail link to London puts pay to any notions of remoteness. Its meeting venues run the gamut from historical buildings and quirky one-offs to sports stadiums and cutting-edge new-build, and with the Pennines and Peak District providing excellent outdoor team-building potential on its doorstep, there’s much to attract the creatively-minded organiser. .

The Wow Factor
Name: Sheffield City Hall
Address: Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA
Tel: 0114 223 3734
Email: info@sheffieldcityhall.co.uk
Web: www.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk

A broad-shouldered neo-classical building in the heart of Sheffield, the City Hall plays host to more than 500 events a year, from association conferences to touring rock shows. Corporate business plays a large part in its day-to-day running with gala dinners, exhibitions and seminars all held regularly. The construction itself dates back to the 1930s, and its interior comprises a grand oval concert hall, an Art Deco ballroom and a smaller memorial hall, all of which can stage events. The main space has a capacity of over 2,000 and was completely refurbished in 2003, preserving the original 1930s features while installing state-of-the-art technology for the conference and events markets.

The Quirky Venue
Name: Magna Science Adventure Centre
Address: Sheffield Road, Templeborough,
Rotherham, S60 1DX
Tel: 01709 720002
Email: info@magnatrust.co.uk
Web: www.visitmagna.co.uk

Occupying a converted steelworks in adjacent town Rotherham, Magna is a modern adventure centre which has hosted events for companies including O2, Nokia and engineering firm Volker Stevin. The venue prides itself on being able to fit any type of function – “fun, funky, stylish, majestic, formal or informal” – and has more than a dozen different spaces in which to stage them. Among its corporate options it counts awards ceremonies, parties, circus skills workshops and team-building days with bungee jumping. Conferences can be held for 2,500, gala dinners for 1,000 and concerts for up to 3,500 guests. It was named Large Venue of the Year at the Yorkshire Business Insider Awards in 2008.

New Kid on the Block
Name: The University of Sheffield
Address: conferencewithUS, The Edge, 34 Endcliffe Crescent, Sheffield, S10 3ED
Tel: 0114 222 8822
Email: conferences@sheffield.ac.uk
Web: www.sheffield.ac.uk

Recession, what recession? The University of Sheffield’s meetings and events department (the nattily named conferencewithUS) is in the process of investing a colossal £160million in refurbishing its existing facilities, which are now able to provide capacity for up to 1,250 delegates with 3,500 bedrooms on site. At the heart of the venture is the Endcliffe Village, offering extensive accommodation options and two new meetings venues – purpose-built conference facility The Edge, which can take up to 350 theatre-style, and the Halifax Centre, which occupies a freshly refurbished Victorian mansion and is able to hold up to 120. The main university campus has more than 100 lecture theatres and seminar rooms.

On a Shoestring
Name: The Circle
Address: 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW
Tel: 0114 253 6666
Email: info@thecirclesheffield.org.uk
Web: www.thecirclesheffield.org.uk

With its sharply designed city-centre spaces starting from just £57 for a full day, it’s little wonder that The Circle enjoys a good reputation. It’s a flexible and attractive venue, owned by non-profit body Voluntary Action Sheffield, and offers ten good quality conference, training and meeting rooms. The facilities, which include a dedicated IT suite, are available in a variety of layouts to suit individual requirements – the main conference room can welcome up to 120 delegates and has a range of built-in AV equipment. Costings are graded with commercial businesses paying more than community organisations.

Wired Up
Name: Conference 21
Address: Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield, S1 1WB
Tel: 0114 225 5340/ 5319
Email: conference21@shu.ac.uk
Web: www.shu.ac.uk/conference21

Spread across the two main campuses at Sheffield Hallam University (a separate entity to the University of Sheffield), Conference 21 provides high-spec AV equipment along with full technical support, computer suites and videoconferencing facilities. Chief among its conference venues are four “premium theatres”, able to seat from 150 to 450 participants, while 80 further meeting rooms are also on site. Catering is provided by the university’s own in-house team – receptions for up to 900 can be arranged. Both campuses are conveniently located, with City Campus a two-minute walk from Sheffield’s railway station and Collegiate Crescent Campus just a mile and a half from the centre. A range of hotel accommodation exists near to both, many of which offer special rates to Conference 21 delegates.

Small But Perfectly Formed
Name: Broomgrove Conference and Training Centre
Address:EEF Sheffield, Broomgrove,
59 Clarkehouse Road, Sheffield, S10 2LE
Tel: 0114 268 0671
Email: info@eefshe.co.uk
Web: www.eefshe.co.uk/conference

The Broomgrove Conference and Training Centre is a Grade II-listed Victorian villa sitting a short way out from the city centre. The venue has been renovated to a high standard to offer light, airy meeting spaces for up to 85. Smaller syndicate rooms give options for break-out meetings. A dedicated event management team helps bring life to an event, while a flexible catering set-up allows for everything from working breakfasts to formal evening dinners to be arranged.

SHEFFIELD INFO
How to get there:
Sheffield is just over two hours direct by train from St Pancras in London, and around 1h15m from Birmingham New Street. Doncaster-Sheffield Robin Hood Airport is around 18 miles from the city.
Key sights: Winter Garden, Millennium Galleries
Contacts: The official conference bureau for the area is Yorkshire South. www.yorkshiresouth.com/conference or 0871 700 2214.

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