Sheffield and the South Yorkshire area has a rich industrial heritage. Famous for its once world-leading steel and cutlery industries, Sheffield was an innovative manufacturing powerhouse.

By the end of the 20th Century, the steelworks and surrounding industry had largely closed down. The building of the Meadowhall shopping centre on the site of a former steelworks being one example of a repurposed industrial site which simultaneously accelerated the decline of town and city centres throughout the area.Today, the council is on the verge of bankruptcy, there are visible signs of decline in public spaces and attempts to turn the tide have been lacklustre.

It does not have to be this way. With two universities attracting talent from across the world, new investments into manufacturing and a growing tech sector, Sheffield should be a leading city at both a regional and national level. Therefore, LFG Sheffield seeks to identify opportunities for economic growth, hold the council to account where there have been broken promises and champion the city’s successes in the hope of reversing trends of decline.