Tag Archives: city

New app to measure impact of city living

A new smartphone app developed by the University of Sheffield and the University of Derby is helping residents determine how city living affects our health and well being. ‘Shmapped’ invites users to record good things they see around them, and the information provided will be used by town planners to design better spaces in the future. It may also help people better enjoy their surroundings. Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust are using the app to engage communities throughout the summer in free guided walks around Sheffield’s parks, nature reserves and canals. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

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.

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Rare manuscripts and other historical documents have been on view to the public as part of a special event to display treasures from the Sheffield Archives.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.

Council moves to evict last of Tent City residents

A group of homeless people living in tents near Park Hill flats have been evicted by Sheffield Council after organisers were told to clear the site. The informal camping site for the homeless started in October last year and became known as Tent City. The site was closed down a few weeks later by organisers after the local authority stepped in to offer support for the homeless occupants. After tents reappeared in December the Council told organisers to clear the site or face a £2,000 fine. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Tent City organiser and homelessness campaigner Anthony Cunningham.

Sheffield shines in use of heritage assets

Sheffield has risen above Leeds and Manchester in a list of the cities making best use of their heritage assets. Rising 23 places in the ‘core cities’ table of the Heritage Index, the city now ranks third among areas that are best at using heritage to create a distinctive identity and those which could do better. The table, put together by the RSA and the Heritage Lottery Fund, combines more than 120 factors, such as historic buildings and events and activities. First of the core cities this year was Bristol and second was Liverpool. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jon Bradley, chair of Joined Up Sheffield.

Sheffield opens an alternative to high cost credit lending

Sheffield has become the first city in the country to introduce a new approach providing alternatives to high-cost credit and door step loan companies. This follows the Sheffield Fairness Commission’s plans to help the city’s residents trapped using high-cost credit. ‘Sheffield Money’ opened today on Cambridge Street, and will operate as a not for profit broker service. It’s been set up by a partnership, led by the Sheffield Executive Board, and supported by Sheffield City Council. I went along, and spoke to Leader of the council, Julie Dore.