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The Sheffield culture guide written by in-the-know locals

Shaun Bloodworth

Our Favourite Places would be nothing without our contributors — a massive thanks to all of them!

Tell us about you…

I’m a photographer based in Sheffield, shooting a mix of work for design companies and the music industry. I also now make short films.

What does Sheffield mean to you?

It means home really. I like that it's slightly downtrodden on the surface but has world quality underneath. Its people are like that as well. I wouldn’t live anywhere else.

What’s your favourite Sheffield place?

If I look to the past then it's places that bring on nostalgia for when I was young: Meersbrook Park, Cockaynes department store, the Golden Dragon restaurant and the Gaumont cinema. Now, it's the independent shops and cafes rather than any brands that make the city what it is. Ironically my favorite place is just outside of the city at Stanage Edge, five minutes from my home. My favorite shop is CollardManson – we need more places like that, especially on Division Street .

What would you do to improve the city?

Where to start? I'd invest much more into the arts in Sheffield. Our arts define us as a culture and they're what will be remembered, not box-ticking. I'd also have days during the week where all parking is free in the city centre to encourage people to shop and eat there .

Latest contributions

Street Food Chef

Fast and ferociously tasty Mexican food. The cantina will sort you out for burritos, nachos, churros, and bottles of luminous Jarritos.

Lyceum Theatre

From the front, the Lyceum is a candy-coloured palace, while inside, the gold swirls of its proscenium arch and its elaborate Edwardian fittings only add to the fairytale feel. The theatre is big on West End musicals, panto and opera.

Film Unit

Nestled in the lower regions of the University of Sheffield Students’ Union, Film Unit is run by dedicated volunteer film fans, screening a programme packed with cult classics, the latest indies and crowd pleasers. Added bonus: tickets are £3!

Jameson's

A traditional family-run tea room with sparkly chandeliers and a fabulous spread of sticky buns, enormous scones and homemade cakes. They serve lovely breakfasts and lunch too – try the coddled eggs.