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City centre businesses help spend a penny

A new Sheffield city centre scheme has been launched to encourage businesses to offer free public use of their rest rooms to shoppers caught out. Searching for a toilet can be embarrassing with people reluctant to use services if they are not purchasing a product. The new scheme will signpost to rest rooms available for public use at participating business. So far twelve businesses have signed up and signage has been put in place to provide directions. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Business Improvement District manager Diane Jarvis.

Park Hill flats plans enter new phase

Planning proposals are to be submitted for phase two of the regeneration of the iconic Park Hill flats housing estate following a public consultation. According to developer Urban Splash a planning application will go ahead towards the end of April with the aim of commencing work in the summer. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Mark Latham or Urban Splash.

Sheffield cinema debut for Sergio’s journey

Award-winning film, Un Condor, tells the story of Sergio Contreras, the larger-than-life waiter who became the popular front man of Sheffield’s El Paso restaurant. Fewer people know the circumstances that forced Chilean-born Contreras to seek sanctuary in Sheffield after Pinochet’s overthrow of the Allende government in 1983. Film director Yannis Kolozis was inspired to turn his story into a feature length movie, awarded Best Documentary at the 2015 Athens International Digital Film Festival together with a clutch of other awards. Now the film, Un Condor, is to get its big screen debut in Sheffield. The film focuses on Sergio’s emotional return to Chile nearly forty years after he was forced to leave or face imprisonment. Contreras was only seventeen when he said goodbye to his family and all he had known to travel thousands of miles to a life in exile. Un Condor is showing at the Showroom cinema on Sunday. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Treasures from the city archives

Rare manuscripts and other historical documents have been on view to the public as part of a special event to display treasures from the Sheffield Archives. Rare items on display included the Market Charter from 1296 and letters written by Mary Queen of Scots during her captivity in Sheffield in 1571. The city archives hold historic local documents and records dating back to the 12th Century and provide access for reference and research. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to senior archivist Cheryl Bailey.

Destination Riga: Sheffield students in charity hitchhike

A group of 180 Sheffield students have set off on a 1600 mile charity hitchhike to the Latvian capital of Riga with the aim of getting there in nine days without paying for travel. Bummit is a student hitchhiking society set up to raise funds for charity as part of the University of Sheffield RAG. Riga is the most ambitious destination yet for the society since it was formed in 2003. Sheffield Live! reporter spoke to Bummit social secretary Chris Banks.

Alpaca trekking in the Andean village of… Crosspool

Holly Hagg farm in Crosspool has become the base for an unusual trekking experience with growing demand for walking tours with their small herd of alpacas. The South American domesticated animals have become a big hit as walking companions on a trekking route that takes in the Rivelin Valley and views over Stannington. Holly Hagg started offering alpaca walks for fun in 2016 but they are now a regular event with demand so high that bookings must be made in advance. Volunteers are on hand to ensure the experience is enjoyable both for the alpacas and the public. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Sheffield game developers reach high with Snake Pass

Sheffield-based game developers, Sumo Digital, have released their first in-house computer game, called Snake Pass. The original production provides game enthusiasts an opportunity to see and move across the earth through the eyes of the snake. The company have previously worked on established game formats for Sony and Sega. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Eccleshall Road church gains new lease of life

Members of The Well, one of Sheffield’s newest church groups, have contributed £350,000 to buy the former methodist church on Ecclesall Road. The 112 year old church was at risk of being transformed into flats by developers after its former owners struggled to pay for its upkeep. The Well Sheffield Baptist Church, led by the Revd. Nick and Marjorie Allan, has been renting the building since 2015 and has now completed a £785,000 purchase. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Gleadless Valley wins regeneration cash boost

Gleadless Valley is to receive a government grant of £510,000 to improve local amenities and housing stock on the 1950s estate. The regeneration plan for the area is to be developed in consultation with local residents, community groups and other partners. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!

Jessica Ennis-Hill launches cancer charity appeal

Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill has launched an appeal on behalf of the Weston Park Cancer Charity to raise half a million pounds for modern refurbishments to the Sheffield hospital. The campaign ‘Beyond the Treatment’ includes providing wifi for patients and comfortable armchairs for relatives to ensure a comfortable stay at the Weston Park Hospital. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live.