Exposed Magazine November 2023

NOVEMBER 2023

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

PUB-LIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

McKee returns with an exhibition celebrating our beloved boozers

ASTRELS // ROSIE HOOD // GALLOPING DICK //JAMBURRITO // HILLSBOROUGH TOGETHER // NEWS // PREVIEWS // REVIEWS

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CONTENTS COVER PHOTO: ROB NICHOLSON – PEDALO PHOTOGRAPHY

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20: RAISING THE BAR

For this month’s cover story, Exposed takes seat at the bar with Pete McKee to discuss ‘Frank & Joy – A Love Story’, the artist’s brand-new exhibition that delves into the backstory of two of his most cherished characters and the legacy of the British boozer.

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16: CITY VIEWS

Our Sheffield story comes from Rob Nicholson, one half of Pedalo Photography, who details his journey growing up in the Steel City, navigating the city’s busy noughties music scene and eventually finding solace in his own creative pursuits.

42: THE SHOE FITS

We delve into the growing success of The Old Shoe, the Orchard Square establishment combining a craft beer taproom, ciderhouse and artisan wine bar. Owners Mike Pomranz and Matt Beety tell us about their motivations in spearheading a mission to provide extraordinary drinking experiences right in the heart of the city centre.

Phil Turner (MD) phil@exposedmagazine.co.uk Nick Hallam (Sales Director) nick@exposedmagazine.co.uk

FINANCE

Lis Ellis (Accounts) accounts@exposedmagazine.co.uk

GRAFTERS

Joe Food (Editor) joe@exposedmagazine.co.uk Ash Birch (Online Editor) ash@exposedmagazine.co.uk Lizzy Capps (Content Creator) lizzy@exposedmagazine.co.uk Marc Barker (Design dogsbody)

GI’ US A HAND PLZ

Iago Castro Charlon, Olivia Warburton, Heather Paterson, Cal Reid, Emma Taylor, Mark Perkins

29: STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE

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THE BUSINESS STUFF

Exposed is published monthly by Blind Mice Media Ltd Unit 1b, 2 Kelham square Kelham Riverside Sheffield S3 8SD The views contained herein are not necessarily those of Blind Mice Media Ltd and while every effort is made to ensure information throughout Exposed is correct, changes prior to distribution may take place which can affect the accuracy of copy, therefore Blind Mice Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for contributors’ views or specific entertainment listings.

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UPFRONT

SHOT OF THE MONTH Last month, Sheffield photographer Kevin Wells (lifeisbetterstill.co.uk) ventured inside brutalist icon the Moore Street substation for the ‘My Brutal Life’ exhibition at Sensoria Festival. The event showcased work from a variety of artists exploring how humans interact with brutalist environments.

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WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

FRAZER’S COFFEE ROASTERS If you head down to the bottom end of Arundel Street, a key artery of the city’s rejuvenated Cultural Industries Quarter, you’ll discover a pair of old workshop doors with one key detail that separates them from the rest: in place of customary large brass handles, you’ll find two porta filters – a trusted tool of the barista. Give these quirky adornments a turn to enter Frazer Habershon’s recently opened coffee haven.

“That was just a quick DIY job,” laughs Frazer, as he welcomes Exposed into his new café and roastery space. The building itself has over 120 years of history and was once used to repair old horse-drawn carriages and stagecoaches in the early 1900s – a fitting link, given that resourcefulness and general upcycling are an integral part of the Frazer’s Coffee story.

It was back in 2014 that Frazer rolled up his sleeves and built an industrial coffee roaster from a repurposed barbecue using Sheffield Forgemasters steel. This piece of kit was in action at the first ever Peddler Market event and facilitated the company’s development into a fully-fledged wholesale business.

Almost a decade down the line and Frazer’s has grown into one of the most recognisable coffee brands in South Yorkshire, all the while staying true to its core ethos: providing high-quality, ethically sourced products at honest prices while teaching anyone that wants to listen about how coffee works.

“We want people to have a different experience here where, if they are curious, we can teach them a little bit about the coffee they’re drinking, the types of beans used, how they’ve been roasted,” says Frazer. “But we want to do that in a friendly, non-judgemental way. Coffee shouldn’t be pretentious; these discussions should be just as normal as asking bar staff to tell you about the beer you’re thinking of ordering.”

The new venue is divided into three sections. The front door opens into the inviting café space where you can browse a wide-ranging menu of brews, with further options of homemade cookies, pastries and pizza al taglio – large square slices made using fresh 24-hour fermented dough. During our visit, which occurred two weeks post-opening, it was mostly a takeaway service with limited seating, but that is all undergoing an exciting transformation.

Tucked away behind the café, you’ll find Frazer’s latest renovation project in full swing: a spacious seating area with communal tables that offer a view into the adjacent roastery, constituting the third and final piece of the jigsaw.

The owner elaborates on his vision, which he hopes to see fully realised by Christmas this year: “The concept is that customers can place their coffee orders at the front, and then they can step into the hall, take a seat, and see the coffee roasting process in real-time. Similar to the way some breweries allow you to observe their equipment in action, here, people will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the inner workings of a roastery.”

Further big plans are in the works for utilising the upstairs space as a barista school, where anyone can book in and learn the tricks of the trade themselves. “Artisan coffee shouldn’t feel like a closed club, or like it’s off limits for anyone to get into,” says Frazer. “I’ve been lucky enough to see coffee made from incredibly humble origins in Central Africa and South America. I see it as my job to showcase that and talk with people about the journey behind the product, ensure that it’s the best product it can be and was sourced through the best practices possible. If people enjoy our coffee, that’s great. If they want to learn a little bit more about it, even better – they’ve come to the right place.”

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@frazerscoffeeroasters frazerscoffeeroasters.co.uk Frazer’s Coffee Roasters 203 Arundel St Sheffield S1 4RE Opening times Tues-Fri: 9am-4pm Sat: 10am-4pm

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Frazer’s Coffee, #propercoffee Now open. Visit our new shop with its on-site roastery 203 Arundel street Sheffield, S1 4RE We also offer subscriptions How It Works • All of our subscription coffees are 5% off our usual prices • FREE UK delivery • Enter code FRAZER23 at the checkout and you’ll get your first subscription bag of coffee at half price!* *Applicable to coffee subscription orders only

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hidden gem MADE BY ATELIER X FISH BOWL VINTAGE

Maisie Honjacobs takes a step inside Kelham Island studio selling rare vintage clothes and creating fits for celebs.

An exciting clothes shop has opened at 92 Burton Road, next door to the Peddler Market.

It’s a hybrid of a vintage hand-selected collection, Fish Bowl Vintage, started by Owen Powers, alongside handmade original pieces from Morgan Sidle’s independent clothing brand, Made by Atelier.

Morgan’s current collection ‘LOVE WAR RIOT’ takes influence from the 80s punk scene, a hand-crafted style dating back to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren’s first shop, ‘Sex’, opened on London’s King’s Road in 1974.

His designs resemble a modern take on Vivienne Westwood’s Seditionaries clothing and t-shirts, an iconic style consisting of screen-printing graphic, colourful and often controversial mixed media images, with slogans famously associated with the Sex Pistols, like the recurring ‘No Future’. In a clear homage to this style, Morgan focuses on deconstructing oxford shirts with a familiar flair, giving them a new identity. Elsewhere Vivienne Westwood’s influence can be seen in the use of tartan, and the do-it-yourself style so central to the punk movement.

Morgan has taken an unconventional route into fashion, having taught himself everything he knows. He also handles all aspects of brand management, creative direction, sewing and printing himself, explaining how his ideas don’t thrive under instruction or being tested.

His approach to clothesmaking has been a journey of trial and error, fun and genuine passion.

It is refreshing to see a clothing brand revelling in the rebellious and chaotic side to fashion, straying away from the mass-produced microtrends inevitably heading to landfill. Looking ahead, Morgan hopes to see his Love War and Riot collection worn around the Steel City.

In a Sheffield/LA link-up not many saw coming, Morgan is also currently working on a personal commission for none other than Billie Eilish, whose associates got in touch with Atelier in the hope of getting Billy’s very own custom Oxford shirt made.

The vintage side of things is all down to Owen Powers and ‘Fish Bowl Vintage’. Owen set up Fish Bowl in his second year of university, but his

interest in vintage fashion soon took over from his studies, so he dropped out of university to take on running the shop full-time. Three years later, Owen is travelling around Italy and searching for Italian brands to supply his retail space.

Fish Bowl stocks brands such as CP Company, Missoni, Benetton, Armani, Best Company, Stone Island and any others that fit Owen’s vision. He focuses primarily on the 1980s to early 2000s, a period when he believes designers had more freedom of design, pattern and functionality; resulting in original pieces that stand the test of time.

The duo is excited to be running their own studio together, with big plans to make their mark on the Sheffield scene. With their DIY style straying and rebelling from the glossy mainstream of fast and unaffordable fashion, you can see the history of rebellious youth culture movements living on in their Kelham Island studio. @madebyatelier // @ fishbowlvintageclothing

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I was born in Sheffield but spent some of my the other, and we’d often meet in the middle for early years in America. A few of my earliest a game of pool. It was a pretty crazy time for the memories are of bright days and white terramusic scene in the city, and I don’t mind admitting cotta buildings in Santa Barbara. Me, my mum that seeing my brother’s success really made me and brother moved back to Sheffield when I was want to achieve something in a band. about five years old, where we lived in a few After The Wanted called it a day, I joined anplaces – Manor Park, Norfolk Park and Deepcar other band called Dead World Leaders. We did – before settling in Hillsborough. You could say pretty well, played around the country and even @P_E_D_A_L_O it was a change of scenery from California! won ‘Best Band’ at the Exposed Awards! Me mum @ROBNICHOLSON I went to school at Myrtle Springs, so most of still has the award on show in her downstairs loo. my mates lived in Gleadless or Manor Top. After It was a slog at times, though. There were nights moving house, I’d get the bus from Deepcar or we’d hire a van, drive all the way to London to play later the tram from Hillsborough to meet friends at the a gig in the hope there’d be A&R people watching, and then other end of town. It was a fair trek and I’ve lost track of you’d drive back with nothing but a free crate of lager. We the number of times I’d fall asleep on the 57 and wake up played some fairly big shows with bands like Milburn and in Stocksbridge. I spent a lot of time on public transport, The Enemy, but eventually, it ran its course. We had a meetcrossing over the city repeatedly, and this was before the ing in The Washy where we decided to call it a day. days of smartphones to keep you occupied in those situaAround that time, I was also playing with Steve Edwards tions. It meant you spent a lot of time people-watching and in a band called Lords of Flatbush, which was a great exwatching life go by through the windows. I don’t know if perience and brilliant to work with a big personality and that helped start a creative spark in me or perhaps an eye singer like Steve. We rehearsed at Yellow Arch Studios, and for a picture, but I’d spend a lot of time observing what was I’ll never forget coming in and seeing Don Letts in one of around me on those journeys. the rooms. He came to watch us play a couple of songs and I’d say I was pretty good at secondary school until about complimented me on one of the basslines, which I’m pretty halfway through. I reconnected with an old friend, and we sure he knew was pinched from a Clash song! were probably bad influences on each other; we wanted to After getting out of music, there was a ten-year period of be like Vic and Bob, always joking and not taking things sewondering what I was going to do. It felt like all of my mates riously. In a very Sheffield fashion, a lot of time in our teens were doing creative stuff and I struggled to find or underwas spent hanging around parks and fields, dicking about stand my place. I think a lot of people who came out of that and playing football. I think there was a creative streak burnoughties Sheffield music scene without much to show for ied in there, for both me and my brother, but I’m not sure it kind of muddled along for a bit. I worked at the Threads we had the means to express it back then. club night, tried a bit of DJing, did jobs in retail and basiThat opportunity came a little later for my brother, Andy, cally saw where things took me for a while. It wasn’t until I who started playing bass and getting into music with some found photography that I managed to find a new sense of mates. They formed a band, Arctic Monkeys, and it wasn’t direction. until I saw their debut gig at The Grapes that I thought to Cameras and photography have been in the background myself, ‘I could do that.’ Thanks to my mum’s music influof my life for a long time. My uncle was a photographer ence, I found Oasis in the 90s, which led me to bands like for The Star, and I remember admiring his cameras as a ➢ The Stone Roses, The Jam, The Clash and The Beatles. I bought myself a beautiful Les Paul guitar, which Alex Turner came around to tune, but I basically just made a load of noise on it and threw it around a bit. It wasn’t until after watching that gig at The Grapes that I picked up the guitar and started learning properly.

The first band I played in was called The Wanted. We were unashamedly Britpop. The highlight for us was probably a gig at The Leadmill supporting The Complete Stone Roses! But before that, we’d play places like The Deep End in Hillsborough, The Grapes and I even remember a dicey gig in a heavy metal pub on Eccy Road. We also played The Boardwalk and The Leadmill, which made you feel like you’d hit the big time. We’d rehearse at Attic Studios in Neepsend, us playing in one room, [Arctic] Monkeys in

ROB NICHOLSON

YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE ARTISTS WHO'VE COME FROM HERE, RIGHT ACROSS A RANGE OF GENRES AND DISCIPLINES, AND IT' S GENUINELY IMPRESSIVE FOR A CITY THIS SIZE.

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➢youngster. My brother, too, picked up photography later and I remember feeling inspired by what he was creating.

But it wasn’t until the start of the first lockdown that I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to get a camera.’ I was furloughed from work and looking for something to try out. I bought a second-hand camera from Harrisons, some cheap lenses, and went out to take photos, sharing bits on social media.

My friend, James, owns a number of bars in Sheffield.

He’d seen some of the pictures I’d been sharing, and he asked me if I’d be interested in doing some promotional stuff for his bars at some point down the line. We’d started spending a lot of time cycling in the Peaks, where we talked about this idea further and he came up with the idea of starting a photography business together. Since we’d spent a lot of time discussing this when out on the bikes, the name Pedalo was suggested.

Pedalo started off doing photography for bars and restaurants in Sheffield. Initially, it was for free, as these places were feeling the pinch of the pandemic, and it also allowed us the chance to experiment and hone our photography skills. It grew quickly; I branched out from hospitality shoots to working on a wide range of projects. I’ve had the opportunity to shoot everything from a Sheffield FC kit launch to a Pete McKee exhibition. Recently, I took photos of former chancellors George Osborne and Ed Balls for their podcast launch. It feels like I’ve found my lane, and in terms of clients, to this day I’ve never had to approach one, which is partly down to being a place like Sheffield everyone seems to know everyone and mutual friends can get in touch!

For me, Sheffield’s an ideal city to be a photographer in.

We recently scouted some locations for a shoot and within half an hour had found the perfect mix of brutalist and modern, urban and nature. Not many places have that. You 18 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

FOR ME, SHEFFIELD'S THE IDEAL CITY TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER IN ... IT'S JUST AN INSPIRING PLACE, A FANASTIC CANVAS TO GET CREATIVE ON.

look at some of the artists who’ve come from here, right across a wide range of disciplines and genres, and it’s genuinely impressive for a city this size. It’s just an inspiring place, a fantastic canvas to get creative on. I couldn’t think of a better place to do what I do. Everything I need is here.

■ As told to Joseph Food

NOVEMBER

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3rd Rusty Creek (upbeat country)

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COVER STORY

SHEFFIELD A

LOVE STORY

Exposed sits down with Sheffield artist Pete McKee to discuss ‘Frank & Joy – A Love Story’, a brand-new exhibition that delves into the backstory of two of his most cherished characters.

Words: Joseph Food Not too long ago, I was talking to a friend who’d recently moved house. When asked about how decorating the new place was going, she replied, “All good. We’ve sorted out the furniture and hung a new McKee in the front room, so it feels like home now.”

The fact that I knew exactly what she meant speaks volumes. In Sheffield households, a Pete McKee painting on a wall is now just as common as finding Dare in a record collection, a United or Wednesday crest in the wardrobe, or an orange labelled bottle of relish in the cupboard. They provide homes from Norton to High Green, Beighton to Stannington, and everywhere in between, with that all-important stamp of civic identity – a final sprinkle of local pride.

Step into the artist’s Sharrow Vale Road gallery and you’ll see more examples of the artworks that have seeped into the city’s collective consciousness over the years.

Perhaps none has left a more lasting impression than ‘The Snog,’ created in 2013 for the Joy of Sheff exhibition and famously celebrated in large-scale form on the side of Fagan’s pub. Since its arrival, social media has been awash with loved-up couples of all ages re-enacting the smooch; it’s an especially sought-after spot for wedding photos, tipsy pubgoers larking around after a few pints or visitors to the city looking for a memento shot.

Ten years later, Frank and Joy, the characters depicted enjoying a tender moment in the painting, will have their story told in McKee’s latest exhibition, Frank & Joy – A Love Story, taking place at Trafalgar Warehouse across two

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CHRISTMAS AT TRUE NORTH

Christmas is a magical time of year. Whether you want to gather the family for an indulgent Christmas meal, relax while the little ones meet Santa or have a festive knees up with friends – there’s something for everyone at True North!

Breakfast with Santa Carol singing | NYE parties Wreath making FIND OUT MORE

COVER STORY

→weeks in November. It’s for this reason I find myself upstairs at the McKee Gallery, taking a seat with the artist and his adorable Chihuahua, Eric, to hear what we can expect from the upcoming show.

“Frank and Joy had featured in my paintings before the mural outside Fagan’s,” he says. “But I hadn’t named them or come up with a backstory at that point. It was just an elderly couple, the type you might see around Sheffield, down the market or something, a pair that have seemingly been together for an eternity and don’t say much to each other – probably because there’s nothing left to talk about! But when it came to creating the mural, I gave them names: Frank, which was my dad’s name, and Joy, a reference to the Joy of Sheff exhibition itself.”

Further flesh was added to the bones of their tale during the 2014 Pub Scrawl event, a one-day occasion which saw McKee exhibiting in Fagan’s and returning to Frank and Joy’s courtship, emphasising the important role of pubs in providing a backdrop to key life moments. The brief but well-received show sowed the seed of an idea that the artist would return to in the future and, in his own words, “do justice to their story”.

“I started painting in a new style about two years ago,” he explains, “and I returned to a Frank & Joy artwork I made during that Pub Scrawl event, ‘The Meeting’. I basically re-did it as a fully fleshed-out painting. I really liked the end result, and it inspired me to revisit the show, give it some extra legs and delve a bit deeper.”

Another significant driving force behind this project was further exploration of the role that pubs play within our communities. McKee, hailing from Batemoor, is well-versed in the importance of estate pubs and WMCs serving as essential social anchors for communities. “I can recall being fifteen or even five in our local pub, The Batemoor. Back in the day, people would meet, grow up, fall in love and get engaged in these places. They were essential parts of the community and that’s faded now because a lot of these

buildings don’t exist anymore, many being knocked down and replaced by supermarkets. However, there are still pubs remaining that we hold functions in, pubs that bring together communities, and I still see them as an important, quite unique part of our society.”

Despite being tee-total since 2015, McKee still finds himself visiting favoured watering holes for social

occasions. Indeed, he proudly co-owns the Brothers Arms in Heeley with fellow band members from The Everly Pregnant Brothers, a move he claims inspired a collective mission to create the perfect pub: “Somewhere cosy, warm, with good music, real ales in abundance, and not a fruit machine or TV in sight.”

Shifting from real-life boozer development to fictional projects, he→

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COVER STORY

→explains how an imagined public house, The Buffer’s Rest, will provide another focal point of the exhibition, charting its evolution across different eras alongside the journey of Frank and Joy. Continuing to embrace a new painting style introduced in 2020, which involved removing black lines to create more detailed and intricate subjects, the artist remains committed to his personal creative growth.

However, he’ll be staying true to the McKee manifesto for his seventh hometown exhibition: exploring themes that resonate with his local audience and striving for connection through healthy doses of humour, nostalgia and poignancy Noting the importance of creating accessible art shows that appeal to a broad cross-section of society, he adds: “Art galleries nationwide have issues with encouraging wider audiences and particularly the working class to get involved. They feel like it’s not speaking to them, or it’s more of a middle-class pastime. Many people, myself included, can feel uncomfortable going into certain types of exhibitions.

So, it’s important for me that we create welcoming art worlds that people want to visit and feel comfortable in. I feel like the story of Frank and Joy is a universal subject matter – people aren’t going to feel threatened or bamboozled by it. Instead, it’s hopefully going to be a joyous and emotional experience for those who attend.”

As well as an original set of paintings, the exhibition will feature a sound installation and interactive elements to transform the warehouse space into an immersive experience for visitors.

To increase what he describes as a “sense of shared ownership” around the upcoming show, Sheffielders were asked to send in their own ‘snog submissions’ to be included. Hundreds of submissions poured in, and these individuals will now play a small yet significant role in Frank and Joy’s love story.

Even a decade later, the public reaction to ‘The Snog’ mural continues to touch him. “I still get a buzz when

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I drive past it and feel proud that it’s been adopted as something of a local landmark. I think people like the warmth of it and embrace that idea about love and longevity – this couple who’ve been together forever but can still find time for a snog. I think it’s seen as a powerful symbol of people’s love for

each other, maybe a marker which we all aspire to, and that’s a really heartwarming thing.”

Frank & Joy: A Love Story runs from 4-19 November at Trafalgar Warehouse. Booking at at www. frankandjoy.co.uk is required.

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TAKE ACTION

WHY VOLUNTEER?

Shaping the future of children positively Sign up with Action Tutoring and you can help close the attainment gap for disadvantaged students in Sheffield.

Every child deserves access to tools to learn effectively and achieve the pass grades to progress beyond primary and secondary levels of education.

An effective way to help pupils pass their SATs and GCSEs is by providing additional academic help outside the classroom - tailored to fill their learning gaps. However, at an average of £25 an hour across England and £40 in London, not every child can afford private tutoring.

One in four children in the classroom is disadvantaged (eligible for free school meals or meeting other exceptions criteria). The attainment gap between them and their non-disadvantaged peers is at its widest in ten years, worsened by the pandemic. Many children from low-income families are unable to access additional help to pass their grades and go on to further education or employment.

With your support, we can ensure the door to opportunity is open for all children, no matter their background. We work with schools to identify pupils from low-income families who would most benefit from additional support.

Our diverse pool of volunteers, from age 18 to 84, provides support to these pupils in English and maths, using our tutor workbooks (with the answers!).

Join us in our mission to close the attainment gap by volunteering, either in person or online, for one hour a week. Previous teaching experience is not required to volunteer; we provide training and all the resources you need.

We’ve transformed the outcomes of thousands of disadvantaged children across the UK, and can do more with your help.

Find out more information about becoming a volunteer or partnering as a school in Sheffield at actiontutoring.org.uk

A family is defined as in low income if it earns less than 60% of the national median household income, before housing costs are considered. In April 2022, a record number of Sheffield children living in poverty was recorded: 26.4% of all children in the area.

Evidence shows that pupils from lowincome families are less likely to perform well in school, since there are more obstacles in the way of their academic progress (such as lack of access to technology or extra resources). This limits their opportunities later in life, whether they’re applying for apprenticeships, studying A-Levels or seeking employment. Action Tutoring is committed to improving the academic outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

WHAT THEY DO Action Tutoring have been working with schools in Sheffield to support the city’s disadvantaged pupils since 2014. In 2021, they expanded this reach to include schools in Rotherham and Chesterfield. In Rotherham, almost one in three children were estimated to be living in poverty in 2018.

Action Tutoring is committed to improving the academic outcomes of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, demonstrated through impact data. You can support these children by volunteering your time as a tutor.

GETTING INVOLVED Since launching in Sheffield, Action Tutoring have been working with volunteers to deliver tutoring programmes in a number of schools. They currently have f2f volunteer opportunities at King Ecgbert School and King Edward VII School.

It’s more than just tutoring. Our volunteers also serve as role models, motivating pupils to overcome learning barriers and achieve their potential in life. By tutoring in Sheffield for just one hour a week, you will directly support disadvantaged pupils to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future, as well as developing your own skills.

SCAN TO SEE WHAT OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE IN THE SHEFFIELD REGION HERE

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Volunteering as a maths or English tutor is a rewarding way to give back to your community.

Get involved today.

Can you spare an hour a week?

By volunteering as a tutor, either in a local Sheffield school or online, you'll be supporting children to build their confidence and help ensure they leave school with the grades needed to build a bright future.

All training and resources are provided. To apply, visit our website.

www.actiontutoring.org.uk

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Visit www.sheffieldcathedral.org or the Cathedral Gift Shop Created by Luxmuralis. Supported by

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THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: INTRODUCTION

Introduction

It’s that time of year again, student pals!

Welcome once again to your Student Housing Guide for 2024/25 – your goto guide for ensuring you make the right decision about where to live next year!

University life is hectic, isn’t it? What with all those lectures to concentrate on, social engagements to fulfil and TikToks to post, you’re never gonna find the time to get your next house sorted. Certainly not so soon after coming back for the new semester…

But that’s the truth of it, you’ve only been here five minutes and already it’s time to start thinking about where best to settle down for the next academic year. And while the range of accommodation on offer in Sheffield is truly amazing, that doesn’t mean it’s not a daunting prospect.

Do you jump in now with the friends you made those first few weeks or hang back and weigh up your options a bit more? Should you stay in a part of the city you’ve already got to know or push the boat out and move to a new part of town to get a different experience?

But don’t panic, that’s what the Exposed Student Housing Guide is all about. Not only have we got a range of properties from some of the best student housing specialists in the city but we’ve also got a load of useful advice to help you make the best decision. That includes our 6 Step Guide to Choosing Your Next Student Home courtesy of the accommodation team at Hallam Uni, as well as our overview of all the student housing areas and what makes each one different. And let’s not forget our ‘Rooms to Rent’ feature which includes an overview of some of the best student housing currently on the market.

Happy house hunting.

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FIND YOUR NEXT STUDENT HOME IN SHEFFIELD We offer en-suite rooms and studios in a choice of properties near Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, so why not book your new home with us?

All bills included

Group bookings

High speed Wi-Fi

No deposit

Private study spaces

Safe and secure

Free contents insurance

24/7 on-site support

Pop in for a viewing or visit our website for more information.

unitestudents.com/sheffield @unite_students

@unite_students

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THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: AREA GUIDE

Some of the most student friendly hotspots ABBEYDALE ROAD

A major artery of Sheffield, Abbeydale Road begins at the end of London Road and stretches all the way to Millhouses and beyond. Why should I visit, you ask? It’s pretty cool, basically.

It’s come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years and now has some brilliant independent businesses representing along the roadside, like The Broadfield, Barrow Boy, Two Thirds, Over The Yard Arm and Picture House Social (situated beneath a stunning 1920s cinema) – all fine places to drink and unwind.

CROOKES

When leaving the city centre, Crookes is situated just past the main Sheffield University campus.

Is it a good place to chill? Yup, there’s plenty of green space on offer here in the form of Crookes Valley Park, Weston Park and Ponderosa. Whilst you’re there, Weston Park Museum is around the corner in, erm, Weston Park. The Dam House overlooks the boating lake in Crookes Valley, while The University Arms boasts a cracking little beer garden.

DEVONSHIRE QUARTER

Located in the heart of the city centre, extending from Division Street to Devonshire Street, Devonshire Quarter is good for Independent and quirky pubs, bars and shopping. Why is it so popular? It’s The perfect chill-spot of Devonshire Green surrounded by a range of boozers, shops, restaurants and cafés.

ECCLESALL ROAD

Running for three and a half miles south-west of the city centre, keep an eye out for the large Waitrose on the outskirts of Sheffield City Centre and follow the road up from the roundabout. “Eccy Road” is a popular haunt for Hallam Students studying at collegiate or city campus. Here, you’re spoilt for choice from the array of restaurants and fine dining establishments, with cuisine from Thai to Tapas, and Italian to Mexican. It’s also a good destination for a day session, and popular student boozers include the Nursery Tavern, Champs and the Porter Brook.

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THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: AREA GUIDE HEELEY AND MEERSBROOK

This up-and-coming area has become popular for its growing bar and café scene, not to mention stunning outdoor locations like Meersbrook Park.

Create Coffee and Kopi & Chai are popular for a spot of brekkie/brunch, Tramshed is a cosy spot for cocktails and vegan street food, while you’re spoilt for choice in terms of traditional boozers with Brother’s Arms, White Lion, Sheaf View and Crown Inn all in the area.

KELHAM ISLAND AND SHALESMOOR

Kelham Island is a 15-20 minute walk northeast from the city centre, or a tram journey to Neepsend and just cross the road. Once the beating heart of Sheffield’s manufacturing industry, Kelham Island has been revitalised over the last decade and is now one of the most exciting areas of the city – with plenty of bars, pubs, cafés, restaurants and swanky new housing springing up in the area.

SHARROW VALE RD

Sharrow Vale (which runs parallel to Ecclesall Rd) is known for celebrating its diverse culture and supporting independent businesses, with an array of interesting shops, restaurants and cafés lining the road. The Sharrow Festival takes place each summer, celebrating community spirit and uniting cultures. Go visit Local artist Pete McKee while you’re there, and his ‘A Month of Sundays’ gallery, get some tasty scran at the Greedy Greek Deli, or pop into the Porter Cottage and pick a track from arguably the best jukebox in the city.

WEST STREET

The street runs parallel to Division Street in the city centre. At last count there was a total of 12 bars lined up amongst this relatively short street. There’s choice-a-plenty – from late-night hangouts such as the Wick at Both Ends and Molly Malones, to necking £1 schitbombs in the legendary West Street Live. Other than watering holes, there are also plenty of restaurants and shops dotted along the famed street.

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STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN SHEFFIELD

Student accommodation in

Sheffield

Charlotte Court

Sheffield Star

All-inclusive utility bills

Free Wi-Fi and broadVariety of band throughout communal spaces

ROOMS FOR 23/24 STILL AVAILABLE!

City centre location

BOOK YOUR NEW HOME NOW!

crm-students.com/Sheffield/apartments

THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: CHOOSING YOUR HOME

STEPS TO CHOOSING YOUR NEXT STUDENT HOME 1. CHOOSING YOUR HOUSEMATES Although fun, choosing housemates is a serious pursuit! It’s all well and good wanting to live with all the people you’ve just become bezzie mates with, and a nine-bedroom house always seems like a good idea at the time. But logically, imagine how much washing up nine people would create, and the guy that seems like a laugh and goes out 5/7 nights of the week won’t be as hilarious when he’s waking you up all the time at 3am. A contract is a legally binding agreement and once you’ve signed it isn’t easy to back out. Make sure you’ve got the essentials covered before you move in, such as how you’re going to split the bills, make sure the new place is close to your campus and whip up the dreaded cleaning rota for a smooth transition when moving in with new people.

2. WHEN TO START SEARCHING The earlier you begin to house hunt, the more choice you will have out of the properties available.

Traditionally, some students start looking in November for the next academic year, but there’s really no rush. We suggest that you take your time to sign - you shouldn’t feel pressured into signing a contract. You may wish to wait until after Christmas, so that you are in a better position to make an informed decision. Sheffield has a huge amount of student accommodation, so if you’re not sure about a particular property, don’t commit to it, there are plenty of others out there. The great thing about our halls is that there are no hidden costs the prices you see on the website are fully inclusive.

3. BRUSH UP ON THE LEGAL BITS CONTRACTS You will have to sign a contract. You will think, “Why are there so many pages?” You do have rights as a tenant and you can speak to people before you 34 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

sign all of the documents, like the Student’s Advice Centre at your university. The tenancy contract is a legally binding document, and because of that we recommend you don’t sign it until you have viewed the property and are sure you want to live there.

Like we’ve said, once you get in it’s pretty difficult to back out.

DEPOSITS Typically, your contract should acknowledge receipt of the deposit, which should be similar in price to a month’s rent, how it will be protected, and how it will be returned to you at the end of your tenancy. If the contract doesn’t say anything about this, then get your landlord or letting agent to amend the contract or provide you with a written receipt.

4. HAVE A LOOK FOR YOURSELF Perhaps the most important part of house hunting is to see the property for yourself, and preferably during daylight hours. This will give you the best

THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: CHOOSING YOUR HOME

idea as to whether you can see yourself living there.

By seeing it in person, and not just through images on the Internet, it’ll also give you a chance to ask the current tenants about the house/landlord and any issues they’ve faced. You can also request a virtual viewing.

5. SNUG: GUARANTEEING YOU SOMEWHERE SAFE TO LIVE In partnership with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Hallam has created snug: an approved directory of private student accommodation in Sheffield. The scheme registers, inspects and advertises student properties in Sheffield and is intended to make sure all of the city’s students have access to good quality, safe accommodation in the private sector.

6. REASONS TO RETURN TO HALLS More and more students are choosing to stay in university accommodation in their second, third and fourth years. Most of Hallam’s halls

are less than a 10-minute walk away from lectures and seminars so you won’t have to face commuting on public transport every morning.

There’s accommodation to suit all budgets with the university offering some of the best value student digs in the country. You can apply with no obligation to accept a room offer and with more than 12 halls, from small and friendly to large purpose-built residences, Hallam has something for everyone!

1. You are guaranteed a place (conditions apply) 2. Rent includes utility bills 3. There are a variety of room types including en-suites 4. Residential support services are available 5. Halls are located in popular student areas 6. Halls offer a safe and secure environment 7. Contracts run from September through to July 8. All halls are within walking distance of both City and Collegiate campus 9. Flexible application process WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 35

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION IN SHEFFIELD

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THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: ROOMS FOR RENT

ROOMS TO RENT HERE’S A QUICK OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE BEST STUDENT PADS OUT THERE ON THE MARKET…

1 1. COOL AND CONTEMPORARY Modern built 6 bed contemporary student accommodation in Sheffield set over three levels. This is a lovely house, well equipped and well presented with all bedrooms having large beds, wall mounted television and modern furniture.

Large kitchen with plenty of storage and workspace with integrated appliances including washer/dryer, dishwasher and 2 fridge/freezers. Laminate flooring to the lounge which includes a TV. Two shower rooms with WCs, one with a bath, plus another separate WC on the ground floor.

The property is situated just off Ecclesall Road. Hallam University, the University of Sheffield and the City Centre are all within walking distance of Broom Street.

There is private parking available for an additional annual fee. Great student housing in Sheffield!

21 Broom Street, S10 2DA £90 ppw (6 students) Book: www.capland.co.uk

2 2. IN THE HEART OF CROOKESMOOR A modern mid terraced student house in Sheffield, situated in the popular student area of Crookesmoor with local shops and amenities close by. The accommodation has 5 bedrooms all with large beds and modern furniture. Cream gloss kitchen with integrated appliances and living space with a wall mounted TV. Secure access gate with keycode entry. Conveniently situated for the University of Sheffield. We also own number 42 Bower Road making this an ideal choice for friends wanting to live next door to each other. They also have other accommodation in all the student areas for different group sizes.

44 Bower Road, S10 1ER £95 ppw (5 students) Book: www.capland.co.uk

3 3. SWISH AND MODERN Vibrant student accommodation Cosmos provides the perfect environment to enhance your university experience!

Experience the ultimate university lifestyle at Cosmos, where student accommodation meets convenience and community. Enjoy the ease of all-inclusive utility bills, free Wi-Fi and broadband while exploring the exciting array of on-site facilities, including a sports centre, two rooftop terraces, a cinema room, study spaces and games and karaoke rooms. Located in the city centre on Moore Street, you’re just a short stroll away from both Sheffield Hallam and the University of Sheffield. With 24/25 bookings opening soon and competitive weekly prices, you’ll find your perfect home away from home. 23/24 rooms are still available, and January start dates are waiting for you.

2 Moore Street, S3 7HZ From £99 pw Book: crm-students.com/Cosmos WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 37

THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: ROOMS FOR RENT 4. CITY CENTRE LIVING Discover the ideal student living experience right in the heart of Sheffield at Sheffield Star! Nestled in the vibrant city centre, this accommodation offers a prime location for students seeking convenience and excitement. Enjoy the simplicity of allinclusive utility bills and complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband. With 23/24 rooms still available, starting from just £99 per week, and 24/25 bookings open, you can secure your spot with competitive weekly rates. Take advantage of exclusive on-site amenities, including a free gym, a cinema room, study spaces and a communal lounge. Furthermore, the central location on York Street provides easy access to Sheffield Hallam, the University of Sheffield and a multitude of restaurants and shops right at your doorstep. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity for a thriving student lifestyle in the heart of Sheffield!

York Street, S1 2ER From £99 pw Book: crm-students.com/ SheffieldStar 5. LAIDBACK LOCATION Welcome to Charlotte Court, where your university experience is perfectly situated, just a stone’s throw away from Sheffield city centre. Enjoy the simplicity of all-inclusive utility bills, along with complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband.

Embrace the communal lounge and games room, perfect for spending quality time with friends, while a private courtyard and secure bike store are also at your disposal.

Nestled on a tranquil street, Charlotte Court offers easy access to Sheffield Hallam, the University of Sheffield and a variety of nearby shops and restaurants, all within walking distance. Discover a comfortable and convenient student lifestyle at its best!

Charlotte Road, S2 4EQ From £90 pw Book: crm-students.com/ CharlotteCourt

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6. PRIME ECCY ROAD LOCATION A popular modern duplex accommodation, 367a has three bedrooms all with large beds, wall mounted televisions and furniture. Situated in one of the prime student locations in Sheffield – right opposite Collegiate Campus – this accommodation also has a fully tiled shower room with WC, plus a bright and spacious living room with wall mounted television and oak effect flooring. A luxury kitchen with washer/dryer and dishwasher completes this modern flat. 367a is reached via a security gate with keycode ensuring safe student living. Capland have accommodation in all the main student areas for different group sizes.

367A Ecclesall Road, S11 8PF £94 pw (3 students) Book: www.capland.co.uk 7. PAD ON-POINT Looking for city centre living in Sheffield at a great price? Leadmill Point is for you.

From here, it’s less than a five-minute walk to Sheffield Hallam University and the train station. The location offers several room options. If you’d like a private bathroom, choose an en-suite.

Don’t mind sharing? The property has rooms with shared bathrooms available too. Away from your room, you’ll find a study room and a shared common room with pool table, a TV, and comfy sofas ideal for chilling out in the evenings. The whole city is on your doorstep here.

Local highlights include The Leadmill, Sheffield’s beloved live music venue, and the four-screen independent cinema the Showroom. Not only can you enjoy a great location, but all utility bills are included in your 2024/25 fixed rent as well as free high-speed Wi-Fi and contents insurance, plus staff are available on-site 24/7.

Leadmill Point 26 Leadmill Road, S1 4SD From £74 pw Book: www.unitestudents.com/ sheffield/leadmill-point

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8. PERFECT FOR POSTGRADS Just a 10-minute walk from the city centre and the University of Sheffield, and 15 minutes from Sheffield Hallam, Brass Founders is the ideal place to call home as a student. Whether you’re on the hunt for an en-suite room in a shared flat or a self-contained private studio, you’re sure to find a room you’ll love. Brass Founders boasts the best amenities with a washer/ dryer in every kitchen and studio, reducing costs so you have more money to spend on the fun stuff! Brass Founders is a special place to live with a beautiful boutique-style common room, a gym, cinema room and a huge outdoor courtyard - not forgetting solo and group study spaces too. Living with Unite Students you’ll also benefit from all utility bills included in your 2024/25 fixed rent, free high-speed Wi-Fi and contents insurance, plus staff are available on-site 24/7.

Brass Founders 130 Scotland Street, S3 7DD From £138 pw Book: www.unitestudents.com/ sheffield/brass-founders

THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: ROOMS FOR RENT 11. SPACIOUS BROOMHILL PAD This spacious 6 bedroom property is located just 200 yards from shops, pubs and main bus routes in the sought after Broomhill area of Sheffield and only 500 yards from the University of Sheffield. It comprises of six large double bedrooms, three bathrooms – two of which have a separate shower cubicle – and a bath in the same bathroom; the third has a shower cubicle. There’s also a large kitchen complete with dishwasher, dryer, washing machine, two cooking facilities, two large fridge freezers and double glazing throughout plus separate living room and parking for two cars.

Spooner Road, S10 £96 pppw (includes bills) Book: info@platinumproperty. co.uk // 0114 2634444 // 07818282762 // 07771503498

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10 9. A VIBRANT COMMUNITY Westhill Hall is home to 499 students and the perfect place to live whilst at university. The city centre is on your doorstep and both Sheffield Hallam and University of Sheffield campuses are less than a 10 minute walk away. At Westhill Hall you’ll find a range of en-suite rooms available, all with their own bathroom, a study desk and plenty of storage space, while a fully-fitted kitchen and living area is shared between flatmates. Step away from your flat and there are communal spaces to study in or you can simply sit back and relax, play pool or even watch a movie in the cinema room. With Unite Students you’ll also benefit from all utility bills included in your 2024/25 fixed rent, free high-speed Wi-Fi and contents insurance, plus staff are available on-site 24/7.

Westhill Hall 61 Eldon Street, S1 4NN From £105 pw Book: www.unitestudents.com/ sheffield/westhill-hall

1O. AN ICONIC LOCATION Rising from the ashes of the famous Gatecrasher One nightclub in Sheffield city centre is the stunning Gatecrasher Apartments. Offering the latest in luxury student living, the centrally located block has accommodations ranging from single-person studios right up to 5-bedroom apartments, all with quality fixtures and fittings such as 4-ring halogen hob, double beds, and granite worktops.

All tenants enjoy high-speed broadband and wall-mounted SMART TV while living at Gatecrasher, as well as benefiting from access to the gym, cinema room and communal space with pool table and air hockey.

Gatecrasher Apartments 104 Arundel Street, S1 4TH From £134.50 pw (bills included) Book: www.westonegatecrasherapartments.com

12. HUNTERS BAR HANGOUT The beautiful 8-bed property is located just off Ecclesall Road, close to Endcliffe Student Village, Endcliffe Park and the vibrant shops and restaurants of Sharrow Vale Road. The property has a large, modern kitchen with a breakfast bar where you can enjoy a meal with your housemates. There is a cosy living room with French doors leading out to the garden which has picnic benches – the perfect place for enjoying time outside.

All the bedrooms are a good size and fully furnished with 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair. There are two bathrooms with showers, one bath and three toilets. The property comes with everything you could need, including FREE superfast broadband, large flat screen TV, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and vacuum – not to mention a fully equipped kitchens including crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, toasters, kettles and general utensils.

1 Wiseton Road, S11 £92 pw (bills inclusive options available) Book: www.paproperties.co.uk

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THE STUDENT HOUSING GUIDE: ROOMS FOR RENT

13. THE BIG ONE This fantastic 11-bed house is in the centre of Crookesmoor, a sought-after student location with pubs, cafes and parks nearby.

It’s just up the hill from the Arts Tower and a short walk to the city centre or a 30 minute walk to vibrant Kelham Island.

Great for a large group of friends looking for a spacious house to make their own for the year. There is a huge living room, equipped with a pub-sized pool table, a large kitchen, separate laundry room with 2 washers and a dryer, 4 bathrooms (including 1 bath) and off-road parking on the private drive. All the bedrooms are good sized and fully furnished with 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair.

The property comes with everything you could need, including FREE superfast broadband, large wall mounted flat screen TV, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and vacuum. Not to mention all our properties come with fully equipped kitchens including; crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, toasters, kettles and general utensils.

115 Roebuck Road, S6 £89 pw (bills inclusive option available) Book: www.paproperties.co.uk

14. THE HEART OF STUDENT LIVING This fantastic 8-bed Victorian house on Ecclesall Road is a short walk to the City Centre, Collegiate and the University of Sheffield, making it the perfect location for both Hallam and University of Sheffield students. There are 100s of shops, bars, restaurants and supermarkets on your doorstep and great transport links.

The property has a large bay windowed living room with comfy sofas and a fabulous modern fully fitted kitchen and a large conservatory dining area. All the bedrooms are good sized and fully furnished with 3/4 double bed, wardrobe, drawers, bedside table, bookshelf, desk and chair. There is a modern shower room downstairs and a large bathroom with bath and shower on the first floor. The property has a lovely maintained back garden with an outhouse laundry room and extra freezer space. It comes with everything you could need, including FREE superfast broadband, large flat screen TV, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher and vacuum – not to mention a fully equipped kitchen including crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, toasters, kettles and general utensils.

384 Ecclesall Road, S11 £93 pppw (bills inclusive option available) Book: www.paproperties.co.uk

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15. MODERN VILLAGE LIFE Conveniently located in close proximity to both universities, as well as all the shops, bars and restaurants Sheffield has to offer, Velocity Village on Solly Street is contemporary and stylish and the kind of pad your mates will be jealous they didn’t bag for themselves. Their two bedroom apartments provide sophisticated urban living at affordable prices and are spacious, fully furnished with generous open plan kitchen, dining and living area as well as fully enclosed balcony for use all year round. They enjoy maximum light, with full height floor to ceiling glass while Velocity Village’s friendly and helpful residential team is on hand to make your stay as hassle free as possible. As a resident you’ll benefit from a concierge service, 24/7 on-site security team and an electronic entry system to ensure you feel safe and comfortable at all times. Up to 10MB broadband and Sky/Freeview are wired into each apartment, making it simple to get connected from the moment you arrive. Velocity Village also enjoys its own secure, underground car park.

Velocity Village, Solly Street S1 4DF Book: velocity-village.co.uk // lettings@velocity-village.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Exposed discovers how The Old Shoe, a thriving craft beer taproom, ciderhouse and artisan wine bar, is leading the charge to bring exceptional drinks experiences to the city centre.

“Our primary mission is to serve great drinks in a great setting,” says Mike Pomranz, co-owner of The Old Shoe. “We want to get people involved in enjoying good drinks, and I said from day one that my overall goal is to offer the best drinks selection in England.”

It’s been just over three months since Mike and coowner Matthew Beety, custodian of The Bear on Abbeydale Road, opened the doors to their vision of the ideal city centre drinks experience: 20 rotating taps (three of which are cider and one will soon be wine), two cask, an expanding spirits range, a selection of lovingly crafted soft drink concoctions and a comprehensive list of artisan wines.

Throw in the fact the Orchard Square bar boasts its own inhouse microcidery, Exemption Ciderhouse, crafting cider from foraged Sheffield apples, and you’ve got the makings of something not only unique in the Steel City but across the country as a whole. “That idea of creating something genuinely different, offering the most diverse range of drinks 42 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

possible, is very important to us,” explains Mike, who has two decades of experience as a food and drink writer under his belt.

He was also the mastermind behind Sheffield’s first microciderhouse, The Cider Hole, which opened in 2021. “I want this place to be like a psychedelic awakening for people, where they can step out of their comfort zone and try something different, experiment with different tastes and flavours.”

While the drinks selection at The Old Shoe speaks volumes, Matt adds that it’s the experience of enjoying them that helps set their establishment apart.

“It’s a team effort and our staff are fantastic. We spend a lot of time focusing on how we want our service to look and sound: friendly and patient, helping you to feel comfortable in trying a few tasters before you buy.

We want people to take their time and find the right drink.

If someone sits down with a drink they don’t like, we’ve done something wrong. That’s the mentality.”

Matt and Mike are keen to impress how collaboration is key to success. While their

fingerprints are clearly visible across both the drinks list and overarching ethos of the business, they are quick to acknowledge the vital contributions of general manager Nath and their skilled sommelier and soft drink technician, Tom. By pooling their shared experience and passions, they’ve created a multipronged approach, ticking a variety of boxes and “continuing to build in all directions,” as Mike puts it.

Another important collaboration working out nicely is that between The Old Shoe and the Sheffield public. The reception from Sheffielders has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, affirming the team’s endeavours to continue redefining the drinking experience in the city.

“Credit to Sheffield for embracing us early on,” says Mike. “Because of that support, we can keep this vision going.

We can still keep rotating our draught lines, we still don’t serve any mass-produced beers and we still have 12 different rotating wines by the glass. People are coming in and trying different things; we’re hitting all our targets and it keeps the show very much on the road.”

Even the most positive advocate will concede that times are tricky for Sheffield’s city centre at present. While the Heart of the City redevelopment continues apace and promises eventual dividends, significant areas of central Sheffield are either behind construction fences or struggling with footfall due to a myriad of reasons. However, the ongoing redevelopment of Orchard Square has widely been seen as a positive step in the right direction for retail in the centre, The Old Shoe being one of a growing number of Sheffield independents in the increasingly vibrant spot behind Fargate.

Partnerships with nearby establishments, like Proove and Sheffield Plate, have created a sense of community and patrons now have the convenience of enjoying food from these venues via QR codes in the bar.

Mike tells us that omens are

good for the area. “There are a number of down-to-earth independent businesses here in Orchard Square now. They’re all trying to offer good quality experiences away from what the mass market companies provide.

It’s refreshing.”

Matt concurs, adding: “Orchard Square feels like a bit of a haven in the city centre at the moment. And people have been telling us that it’s the sort of place that the city centre has been crying out for. I mean, look at us – we’re not a traditional pub. Sheffield has plenty of those. If anything, there’s more of a polished wine bar feel in terms of how it looks, but we’ve got wines, ciders, spirits, soft drinks and, of course, plenty of craft beers. The after-work trade has been growing as well, which is a particularly good sign.”

Interjecting on that point, Mike sums it all up neatly: “I mean, when you’ve worked hard all day, do you really want to go and spend £6.30 on a bad pint of Peroni?! Of course you don’t! And if you don’t, we’re here for you. People will go to Manchester and Leeds to visit good bars, so why can’t we give people places of that quality here? We’re honest and consistent with what we offer: good vinyl records, a great selection of drinks, fantastic service and a pleasant atmosphere. That will stay the same whether you walk in here on a Wednesday afternoon or a Saturday night.” @theoldshoebar Unit 20 Orchard Square S1 2FB COMING UP AT THE OLD SHOE 8th Nov: Meet the Brewer – Pastore Brewing and Blending 12th Nov: Textile Mending Workshop 16th Nov: Beaujolais Day 19th Nov: Vinyl Resurrection (bring your own LPs) 22nd Nov: Meet the Winemaker – Huxbear 5th-10th Dec: Stout Week 12th Dec: Meet the Cidermaker – Oliver’s

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 43

UNIT 2 NOW OPEN at Valley Centertainment

independent started out as a creative Established in 2016, Unit ield.

Sheff in ents stud families and restaurant catering for up ing cook , ngth stre to strength We have since grown from . The Unit brand is a love s omer cust our s irresistible meal aims to restaurant industry that pioneer in the fast-casual ce. rien expe transform the comfort food y aspect of refined and streamlined ever have we s, year the Over items, menu tive crea to e designs our brand, from funky stor to service. oach appr le ssib acce with a relaxed and

2 ld.com Call Us: 0114 438153 Email Us: info@unitsheffie 7WB S3 ld, ffie She , eet Str rd Visit us: 88 Headfo

FOOD & DRINK

BUN VOYAGE!

City centre burger-slingers Unit have opened their second Sheffield restaurant, becoming the only independent in Valley Centertainment.

The new restaurant is double the size of their Headford Street location, but owners have reassured local burger lovers that the new site will retain the same vibe, branding and menu as their much-loved catching city centre site.

Known for their banging burgers, smoking sides and loadsa veggie, vegan and glute- free options, Unit has been a must-visit since founders, Mohamed Abdulrub and Nabeil Asker, known as Mo and Nabz, opened the restaurant back in 2017.

For the new site, they have enlisted the help and investment of two more friends, Salim Algunaidi and Akram Ahmed, who they have known since childhood.

Akram and Salim, who come from a corporate background, have both handed in their notice to head up the new Centertainment site.

Salim told Exposed: “We’ve put our all into this project. It’s a big step for us. My background is in operational management, banking mainly, but I’ve

dealt with a lot of management roles throughout. Akram is a finance director and he’s got a vast amount of experience.

“It’s just a really good combination.

We’ve been talking about it for some time, and thinking of ideas, and it just felt like the right time.

“Growing up, we went to the same school and lived in the same neighbourhood as Mo and Nabz. We all have similar interests and aspirations and we’re really passionate about food.

“I’m really excited about it because now we’re actually doing it, it feels real.”

Since opening more than six-years ago, Unit has managed to traverse the uncertainty of a pandemic, the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills to arrive at a position where they feel ready to expand and Salim says that this is testament to the strong brand and sheer hard work that Mo and Nabz have put in.

“We’re in a good position after six years,” says Salim. “They [Mo and Nabz] have been tested over the years, and I

think the real test has been bouncing back from the pandemic. The product and the team behind it really saw them through a difficult time.

“Over the years, we’ve been able to tweak and improve certain items.

Everything that you see on the menu now, whether it’s the taste or the way it looks, has been perfected based on feedback and that will all be going into the new site.

“It’s 140-seater venue, so it’s a little bigger than Unit 1, but that’s given us the space to be creative and let our minds run wild a bit. Everywhere you look there’s some new to see.

“The branding will obviously remain the same at the new venue, because that’s one of the things that sets us apart, and we’re continue to work with local, Sheffield businesses and creators, right down to the businesses that have fitted out the new site.

“That’s really important to us. Our customers, who spend their hard-earned cash, are from Sheffield, so we want to be able to put money back into Sheffield.”

The team are proud to be the only Sheffield independent in the entertainment centre near Meadowhall.

Salim said: “Being the only independent, we’re the little fish in the big pond, but that’s what we’re really excited about because we really believe in the product.

Our passion shines through and it hopefully proves to others that there is room for everyone.”

Unit 2 is open now. For further details, follow them on socials @ unit_sheffield

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 45

PARK LIFE

Three years after its inception, due in part to a pandemic-interrupted build, a former bus shelter and public toilet in Whirlow Brook Park has been given a new lease of life as a cosy café in the park’s leafy surrounds.

Named The Shelter, the previously derelict building has undergone a huge face lift, with the addition of a new roof, indoor seating housed in three renovated shipping containers and two outdoor seating areas, creating a hidden gem in the picturesque GREEN SPACE. The family-run café opened just recently with help from Sheffield City Council’s Better Parks’ initiative and has already proved hugely popular with locals and walkers.

“The vision was to create a community space that will complement the park and provide a space for people of all ages and backgrounds to come along and enjoy a brew amongst the beautiful greenery,” says co-owner Chloe Rose, who runs the café along with her step dad.

“We’ve had some really great feedback so far. People have told us this is exactly what the park needed and what people wanted. Somewhere they can bring their dogs, meet up with friends and enjoy really great food.

“This park isn’t as well-known as some other Sheffield parks, which a real shame because it’s beautiful. We’re just trying

to get people to travel to us because we know what we’re offering is really great, we just need people to come and see for themselves.”

The family-run cafe provides a menu of locally sourced produce, as well as coffee and cakes, from 9am to 4pm, seven-days-a-week. The menu has been put together by former Wildcard chef Mikey Freeman, whose family owned famous Sheffield institution Yankees.

The menu includes everything from traditional full English breakfasts and

breakfast sandwiches, as well as brunch classics, hearty soups, light lunches and tapas dishes.

They also plan to add Sunday lunches and the venue will soon be available to hire out, along with the skills of head chef Mikey, for private events and celebrations.

The dog-friendly cafe can be found in Whirlow Brook Park, S11 9QD, opening from 9am- 4pm, seven-days a week. Follow @ theshelter_whirlow for more.

It's a Syn Syn, a new fine-dining restaurant and cocktail bar on the corner of Alma and Russel Street, across from the Grind Cafe, opened last month in Kelham Island.

The new independent restaurant has been a long time in the works, but with the appointment of former Raffina head chef Reece Elliot, they are now finally confident to showcase the venue’s mouth-watering menu.

Operations Manager, John Gordon, told Exposed: “It’s been a labour of love getting here. We took the site over in January last year, and there have been a few ups and downs, but I love the overall aesthetic and look of the place now.

“We’ve got striking elements within the restaurant that I think should attract customers – no expense has been spared in making sure that the delivery meets ours and the customers’ expectations. I’m feeling incredibly positive.”

The new lunch and dinner menus can be found online and include plenty of gluten-free, veggie and and vegan options, as well as starters like smoked venison tartar, mains including aged fillet of beef braised ox cheek and loadsa decadent desserts. They have also created an extensive cocktail list including homemade infusions.

“As well as beers that marry to the food, we’ve also got an extensive cocktail menu, which Charlie, our bar manager, has created. He’s generated a list of over 30 different drinks and he’s doing his own infusions on site as well. He’s actually got some custard vodka on the go at the moment!” added John. @syn_restaurant

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FOOD & DRINK A RARE TREAT

GO WEST Last month, a video was released showcasing the vision for the £300 million pound West Bar development in the city centre.

The virtual fly-through of the site details how the new office, retail, hospitality spaces will be lined up amongst apartments and tree-lined outdoor areas, as well as how they will fit on the Sheffield skyline between Kelham Island and Castlegate.

Once completed, the 7-acre brownfield site will comprise of one million sq. ft of mixed-use space and is expected to create up to 8,000 new jobs. The area currently employs about 5,000 people and is home to around 2,000 residents.

The project is being delivered by Urbo (West Bar) Ltd, a joint venture between Urbo Regeneration and Peveril Securities, in collaboration with Sheffield City Council. After twenty years in the making, the mixed-use scheme is being brought forward following a ground-breaking deal to secure £150 million funding from Legal & General, the largest single city centre investment deal that Sheffield has ever seen.

The first buildings are set for completion in June 2024, but the West Bar development is already hitting milestones with the first phase of three towers almost at their peak.

For all the latest updates about West Bar and to find out more, head to westbar.co.uk.

GET DISCOUNTS WITH TRAVELMASTER

Throughout November, TravelMaster are partnering with local businesses around Crookes and Broomhill to offer exclusive offers when you show a TravelMaster Smartcard or ticket.

Their ExploreSY campaign highlights an area where passengers can explore exciting destinations with their TravelMaster ticket and smartcard, which can then be used to pick up offers in participating venues. This month, they’ve teamed up with a selection of businesses to offer discounts to anyone who shows their TravelMaster card when making a purchase.

Head to @exposedmagsheff on Instagram to find out the wide range of discounts you can get your hands on this month!

Follow #ExploreSY for more details and sign up here for updates: sytravelmaster.com.

Owners of Neepsend cocktail-slingers Parrot Club have revealed plans to open the backroom of the venue as a completely separate, ‘warm and welcoming’ new bar where customers can escape the madness of its sister bar and experience some of the world’s finest liquids.

The new venue will enforce a semi-strict, smart casual dress code for a max of 30-40 people keen to be looked after while sampling drinks and cocktails that nowhere else in Sheffield can offer – all at a price that won’t require you to re-mortgage!

Co-owner John Wickham told Exposed: “It’ll be somewhere that is a little quieter than the Parrot Club but will still have a really nice, lively and atmospheric vibe to it; a place you can get away from the chaos of Saturday night and try some really unbelievable cocktails and spirits.

You know – put your nice clothes on and get really looked after.”

Set behind a velvet curtain at the rear of the venue, guests will be greeted at the entrance by a host who will usher you through a chandeliered reception area into an elegant bar, decked out with beautiful herringbone wooden floors, Chesterfield armchairs, wood panelled walls, exquisite glassware and meticulously designed lighting.

The bar itself, which has been repurposed from the Porter Cottage’s old bar top, will showcase a host of premium whisky such as hard to come by bottles from Macellan’s Harmony range as well as Brooke Laddie’s Black Art, rare Japanese whisky that can sell for as much as £1500 a bottle, and 25-year-old, premium Chivas whisky.

“We’ve got hold of some of the rarest spirits on Earth” explains John, “and unlike investors, and the people who usually collect these bottles, we will actually be opening them! You’ll be able to buy them by the measure and try something that, I would go as far to say, 99 per cent of the bars in the country simply do not have.

“We’ve gone to auctions and allocations and sourced them from all over the country, getting our hands on some fantastic stuff that’s been chosen for taste not just rarity. Hopefully, it will be welcoming, accessible and also a little bit educational.

“There will be a casual but smart dress code.

Nothing too insane and as long as we have space, it’s the right sort of vibe for you, and you feel comfortable there, then come on in and enjoy being looked after.”

The bar will be open from December, primarily on Friday and Saturday nights, but keeping an eye on social media will be key as they plan to open sporadically for special events like whisky tastings and cocktail masterclasses. @parrotclubbar

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 47

Little Kelham’s neighbourhood bottle shop & bar Join us on Tuesdays board gamesbeers and Pizza from Domo Overfor 350+ craft Over 350+ craft beers, natural wines, spirits fresh from around theartisan world and no/low alcohol selections

Follow us on

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Enquiries for private hire info@hymntoninkasi.co.uk Hymn TO Ninkasi half page Feb23.indd 1

25/01/2023 16:05

FOOD & DRINK: REVIEWS

WOKIE BOX

Rudy’s Bake at Home Since opening on Division Street in 2022, Neapolitan pizza specialists Rudy’s has become a popular spot for Sheffield foodies seeking out a tasty slice of the action.

Their menu boasts a variety of beloved classics, including Margherita, Marinara and Calabrese, as well as other favourites like the meat-heavy Carni, the tuna-topped Tonno and the mushroom-rich Portobello.

Earlier this year, Rudy’s announced the return of its ‘bake at home’ service.

Handmade in the venue’s kitchen, using the same fresh double-fermented dough and Neapolitan ingredients, you can enjoy their award-winning pizzas exactly as nature intended – piping hot and fresh out of the oven.

It’s very simple to order. Simply pop over to the online store (shop.rudyspizza. co.uk), add your chosen pizzas to the basket, pick a delivery date and pay at checkout.

Not long following your order, you’ll receive a time slot for delivery. Your pizzas will then arrive vacuum-packed, chilled to preserve freshness and with some handy instructions on cooking temperatures and times (a drizzle of oil is handy around the crust, just for the extra crispiness!).

It’s especially useful if, as in our case, you’re attending a gathering based outside of the traditional delivery radius. Claiming responsibility for providing the pizza at a family BBQ, we turned up with the classic Margherita, hearty Carni, spicy Calabrese and the indulgent El Supremo – a twist on a favourite from famous NYC pizzeria, Roberta’s.

Four pizzas provided a more than sufficient feed for six, and for added efficiency, we employed a multi-cooking option of one in the outdoor pizza oven, one in the kitchen oven. After giving them the essential brush of oil along the edges, each pizza required just 7-8 minutes of high-heat cooking to emerge in a state of fluffy, slightly blistered perfection.

The next time you’re planning a night in or hosting a social event featuring hungry attendees, we’d highly recommend booking and baking at home with Rudy’s. Crust in the process and bring the authentic Neapolitan experience right to your doorstep!

Rudy’s Bake At Home is available to order here – order slots are available with deliveries on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Follow Rudy’s on Instagram for the latest updates – @wearerudyspizza.

Wokie Box is the latest venture from the lovely folk behind city-centre, Szechuaninspired Chinese restaurant China Red, and If you’ve already checked out their Rockingham Gate restaurant, you’ll be well acquainted with the exquisite Asian cuisine they have on offer.

The Furnival Gate venue offers more of the same, but with a twist on the familiar concept of Chinese food in a takeout box (something I longed for after watching episodes of Friends in the 90s!). Cooked quickly in a wok over a high heat, the takeaway noodles are married with their familiar, refined touch.

Think of it as China Red’s little sister venue, perfect for lunches, takeaways, or a quick bite to eat at teatime.

The menu, which is displayed above the counter, is fully customisable; you simply pick your favourite type of noodles, protein or veg, and enjoy with your pick of delicious Asian sauce and toppings. If you find the choice overwhelming you can let them do the thinking and select one of their Special Boxes. There’s also a range of popular Asian sides, ranging from satay skewers and crispy wonton, to salt and pepper chips and tempura prawns.

As we chose to eat in, we are presented our food on plates in the comfortable restaurant setting, not far from the whir of the kitchen and the firing woks.

We’re presented with Singapore vermicelli noodles, Sweet and sour vegan chicken and rice, spring rolls, vegetable gyoza and prawn toast on the side.

We’ve opted to share the dishes and we get stuck into the vermicelli noodles, which have a warming Singapore spicing, and the sweet and sour vegan chicken, which is sticky, sweet and packed with flavour. The sauce that comes with the vegetable spring rolls adds a fiery touch and is my favourite of what’s on offer.

At around £9 a box, it’s perfect for an indulgent lunch that will leave you well set up for the afternoon ahead.

Wokie Box, 26 Furnival Gate, Sheffield, S1 4QP wokiebox.com WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 49

FOOD & DRINK: REVIEWS

Zaap Thai Sheffield THE PLACE First of all, Zaap Thai’s interior design is superb. Step inside and it’s like you’ve been whisked away to a bustling Thai market, complete with colourful tuk-tuks, neon lights and vibrant street food signs adorning the walls and hanging from the ceiling.

It wasn’t just the decor that exuded liveliness. The restaurant was brimming with patrons as the staff warmly welcomed us and escorted us to our table. The bright and bustling atmosphere, with smells and sizzles emanating from the open kitchen, combined with the fact that our ‘table’ turned out to be a thriftily repurposed tuk-tuk, had me feeling fairly certain that this was the closest I was getting to Bangkok while in a Sheffield postcode.

THE FOOD The menu is extensive one, brimming with a wide array of Thai delights. Their culinary offerings span from beloved street food classics like dim sum, bao buns and pad Thai noodles to hearty options including flavoursome curries, sizzling stir-fries and succulent 50 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

grilled meats and fish.

Our party of two came to try their recently launched lunchtime deal which offers a starter, main and a drink for a very reasonable £15. To kick off our meal, we decided to share two appetisers: the Thai-style vegetable spring rolls and the traditional homemade sweetcorn cakes.

Served with tangy sweet chilli sauce, the perfect dipping accompaniments, the spring rolls had just the right amount of crunch and the sweetcorn

cakes, known as Tod Man Khao Pod, were fluffy and aromatic.

For my main, I chose the Pad Prik Gang, a stir-fried dish with chicken, vegetables and red curry paste. It was slightly hotter than anticipated, but as someone who enjoys food at the higher end of the spice scale. The bold sauce, tender meat and medley of fresh veg combined effectively for a harmonious blend of spice, savoury notes and freshness.

The second main, Gang Panaeng, a popular Thai curry

dish, was at the mild end of the spice spectrum but made with coconut and kaffir lime leaves, giving it a rich, creamy taste balanced out nicely with citrusy and slightly bitter notes from kaffir lime leaves.

Portion sizes are generous, and we originally planned to ask for the bill after the main, but we couldn’t resist the temptation to explore some intriguing-sounding desserts.

So, we decided to make a little extra room by loosening our belts and rounding things off on a truly indulgent note. We savoured servings of Glouy Chem, a delightful dessert featuring deep-fried bananas encased in a sweet, crispy batter, and indulged in the delectable Pandan Pancakes – green crepes filled with velvety custard, accompanied by a scoop of heavenly vanilla ice cream.

THE VERDICT When it comes to value, taste and atmosphere, Zaap Thai has proven to be a welcome addition to Ecclesall Road’s foodie mile. No bookings necessary – the next time you’re feeling peckish, pop in and see what all the fuss is about!

ZAAP THAI SHEFFIELD 521-523 ECCLESALL ROAD S11 8PR

I n n o vat i v e a n d c r e at i v e casual fine dining in the heart of Ranmoor We offer a seven course blind tasting menu from seasonal local ingredients and an ever changing menu with wine pairings to complement our dishes.

376 Fulwood Rd, Sheffield S10 3GD west10sheffield.co.uk

HILLSBOROUGH TOGETHER

A Festive Extravaganza Heads to S6!

The holidays are coming and Hillsborough Together, a dedicated community and independent businessfocused organisation, has announced its festive weekend-long event coming to S6, ‘Christmas Starts With You In Hillsborough’.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? The family-friendly event aims to bring together local businesses, residents and community organisations for a joyous celebration of the thriving suburb while getting into the Christmas spirit.

Following another positive year of growth for the area, the organisation will see out the year with its biggest event yet, collaborating with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, Rivelin Co and St John’s Baptist Church, Owlerton to present ‘Christmas Starts With You In Hillsborough’ – an event designed to infuse the high street with plenty of yuletide magic.

Janine Lawson, project manager for the event, expressed her enthusiasm, telling Exposed: “This is an exciting time for Hillsborough, and this event will demonstrate just some of the incredible things our community has to offer. By bringing together the high street and the local community, we aim to showcase the vibrant spirit of Hillsborough and create lasting connections between residents and independent businesses.”

will come alive with games, thrilling activities and a bustling Christmas market showcasing the finest offerings from local independent businesses.

Win exciting prizes on the children’s trail, including special prizes generously donated by Sheffield Wednesday Football Club – and don’t miss a special appearance by one or two well-known faces from the club!

• Friday: Join St John’s Owlerton for their Snowflake Switch On event in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital from 4:30 m to 8pm. Enjoy a brass band, nativity characters, food stalls, a makers market and children’s crafts.

• Saturday: Rivelin Co and Friends of Hillsborough Park host their Christmas event in Hillsborough Park. Explore the Makers Market from 11 am to 4 pm in the Pavilion and a Share & Repair shop.

The walled garden will host a treasure trail, wreath making and children’s wand making from 12 noon to 3pm.

WHEN DOES IT TAKE PLACE? Taking place Thursday 30th November, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd December, the event will deliver an impressive line-up of Christmas-themed activities, attractions and special appearances.

CLEAR OUT YOUR DIARIES! The Hillsborough Together team invites all residents, visitors, and independent businesses to participate in this festive celebration. By supporting local enterprises and promoting the unique character of Hillsborough, it is hoped that this event will contribute to the growth and prosperity of the entire community.

WHAT’S ON? • Thursday: The festivities kick off at 4:30 pm, starting at The Hillsborough Tap and continuing across Hillsborough.

Enjoy the Christmas tree switch-on ceremony, a captivating children’s trail and meet a cast of superheroes on the high street. Hillsborough Arena

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? For more information about the ‘Christmas Starts With You In Hillsborough’, event including a detailed schedule and opportunities for involvement, please visit www. hillsboroughtogether.co.uk or contact hello@hillsboroughtogether.co.uk

52 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

WHO ARE HILLSBOROUGH TOGETHER? Established as part of Sheffield City Council’s Economic Recovery Fund, Hillsborough Together has become an integral part of the Hillsborough community.

The organisation has undertaken numerous initiatives to realise the area’s potential, including a storefront improvement scheme, street art installations, floral arrangements, benches, waste bins and a wide array of events throughout the year.

Notably, Hillsborough Together is responsible for illuminating Hillsborough with Christmas lights, adding a festive feel to the high street – all aimed at bringing more visitors back into the district to enjoy the wide range of businesses that the area has to offer.

Follow @ hillsboroughtogether on socials to see what else they’ve been up to!

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 53

VENUE AVAILABLE FOR HIRE OVER CHRISTMAS!

21 Rotating Craft Keg Lines // Wines Spirits & Non-Alcoholic Beers 85 Sidney Street, Sheffield, S1 4RG // 0114 303 9390 Follow us @industrytapsheffield

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all shows open to the public (14+ unless stated otherwise) tickets available from foundrysu.com box office: 0114 222 8777

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foundry, sheffield students’ union western bank, s10 2tg foundrysu.com - foundry@sheffield.ac.uk @foundrysheffield

FILM BY CAL REID

THAT’S THE SPIRIT!

From cult 80s thrillers to creepy dolls cavorting around the Steel City, Cal Reid rounds up the best of the action from this year’s Spirit of Independence Sheffield film festival.

The Spirt of Independence Film Festival once again showcased an excitingly diverse collection of work from established, emerging and aspiring filmmakers. Co-directors Ben Wilkinson and Dave Holloway organised a stupendous festival over two days, mixing in anniversary events with world premieres of international and local productions, both feature-length and short. What’s most striking is the high standard of quality from just about every single film I had the chance to cram in, doubtless in no small part due to Ben and Dave’s expert selections. Festivals such as this are soberingly essential, eye-opening reminders to critics and audiences that so much exceptional filmmaking talent is prominent outside the realms of mainstream cinema.

PHOTOS BY JACOB FLANNERY

EXPOSED’S FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS MIRACLE MILE Kicking off the festival was a rescreening of the 1988 cult classic Miracle Mile. An electrifying blend of meet-cute, noir and apocalyptic thriller. Hauntingly scored

by Tangerine Dream (apt considering the screenplay was written to their score from Friedkin’s Sorcerer), the film is led strongly

by Anthony Edwards of Top Gun fame.

Edwards plays a young musician who, in the middle of the night, answers a payphone call outside a diner, which warns him of an impending nuclear strike. What follows is a Twilight Zone-style descent into contagious panic, as Edwards’ Harry Washello seeks to save the new love of his life, whilst the unsubstantiated fear he has set in motion begins to consume Los Angeles.

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Following the screening, the audience was treated to a warmly personal and informative Q+A session with director Steve De Jarnatt, where he discussed the film’s development and the challenges encountered. Audience members were then treated further with signed memorabilia, and I was generously given a signed copy of the Arrow Blu-ray. Result!

BLACK DARUMA A uniquely disturbing and darkly witty local feature premiere concluded the Friday night, Black Daruma. Fionn and Toby Watts wrote, produced and directed this tale of an adrift, unemployed man named Ryan, who purchases a Japanese luck doll from an antique store. Shot entirely from the doll’s perspective on location in and around Sheffield, we witness the humorous yet disturbing decline of Ryan’s mental state, as the doll’s presence has an adverse effect on his relationship and ability to find employment. When it chooses to be outright scary, it does so with striking effect.

The performances here are simply stellar, especially from Richard Galloway as Ryan and Louise O’Leary delivering an equally impressive portrayal as his partner. Black Daruma hooks its audience right from the beginning, maintaining a chillingly ambiguous stance as to whether the doll is supernatural or Ryan is spectacularly losing the plot. Marvellous to see writer-actor Ross Marshall in a supporting role, and, as anyone who’s seen Ross’ work will know, you can never get enough of his unique screen charisma!

ALL THROUGH THE HALL Made on a budget of 5,000 euros, the

first Saturday screening, All Through the Hall, is a brutal neo-noir thriller.

The film follows a man with a past now working as a security guard, fighting off a trio of thieves who may or may not be linked to his past. Best described as merging the non-linear approach of Nolan’s Dunkirk with the bleak viciousness of Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here, this German production is microbudget magnificence. Blade Runner inside a warehouse, was my first thought on observing the neo-noir excellence of the lighting and cinematography. The writing and performances (all of which were provided for free) are flawless. All Through the Hall easily ranks as one of the best thrillers in recent years.

SUPERB SHORTS

BAD SOIL One of two shorts supporting All Through the Hall, Bad Soil sees a Welsh farmer placed in a difficult position when his wayward brother arrives bloodied and bruised, asking for the use of a shotgun.

So much is established by closeups and brief dialogue, you feel a feature-length narrative has been conveyed over a handful of minutes, with a chilling ending to boot.

BOY IN THE BACK SEAT All Through the Hall’s second supporting short. Director Scott Pickup’s politically charged, heart-wrenching tale of a young boy left unattended in the back of his alcoholic, violent father’s car. Set in Thatcher’s England, Boy in the Back Seat powerfully explores themes of toxic masculinity, and the harrowing inevitability of inherited violence, strongly reminiscent of Shane Meadows at his best.

NORTHERN SPIRIT SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTS BLACK DOG Winner of this year’s Spirit of Independence Emerging Spirit Script to Screen competition, Black Dog is a hypnotically haunting story of grief and unresolved trauma set in a harsh, threatening Yorkshire moorland. Evoking Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, Black Dog’s power lies in its rich black-and-white visuals and the profound subtlety of its two central performances.

STRANGER A touchingly warm depiction of a former couple who bump into one another by happenchance one night, and over a quaint coffee they take time to catch up. The two young men’s chemistry is affectingly palpable. Regret, self-reflection, and heartbreak are conveyed so movingly.

LACKING THE BOGGART One for any fans of Ben Wheatley or Mark Jenkin’s Enys Men. This dreamlike folk horror short follows a young woman’s unsettling return to her hometown, shot in the style of a grainy 1970s BBC production.

OSSATURA: THE FIGHT FOR ARCHAEOLOGY A passionate, heartfelt mini-documentary focusing on Professor Umberto Albarella and fellow protestors, fighting the controversial decision to close the University of Sheffield’s Archaeology Department. Very informative, with a diverse range of interviewees, Ossatura: The Fight for Archaeology captures the passion of an important local issue.

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 59

YELLOW ARCH NOVEMBER '23

1st Henge 2nd Unschooling 3rd Millie Manders and the Shutup 4th Bonfire Night Party 6th Japanese Television 8th Funke and the Two Tone Baby 9th Antony Szmierek 10th The Pretty Ugly 12th Rosie Hood Band 16th Yellow Arch Comedy Club 17th Flamingods 19th Cucamaras 23rd The Meffs 24th Tom Rasmussen 26th Billy Lockett 30th Acid Klaus

DECEMBER '23

1st Riskee and the Ridicule 2nd For The Records 5th Opus Kink 7th Hell Can Wait 9th Sweet Beast 15th Swan

2024

Jan 31st TVAM Feb 11th Ladyhawke Feb 20th Meryl Streek Feb 23rd Apollo Apollo Apr 3rd Brad Stank

MUCH MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED TICKETS: YELLOWARCH.COM YELLOW ARCH STUDIOS, 30-36 BURTON ROAD, S3 8BX

OUTTA THIS

WORLD

Renowned Sheffield musician Steve Edwards is back with his most intriguing project yet. Astrels’ debut album, The Velvet Sea & The Afterglow, as seen the house music don joining forces with Joe Newman of Reverend & The Makers, where together they’ve utilised an impressive array of vintage synthesizers, state-of-the-art electronic equipment, killer hooks and a ‘Sheffield space opera’ concept to take us all on a cosmic journey from a Dystopian Steel City into the stars. Last month, Joseph Food charged up his flux capacitor and cadged a lift in the main man’s spaceship to see what all the fuss was about.

Tell us a bit about how Astrels started out?

A lot of this was put together in lockdown.

Me and Joe Newman have worked on music together on and off over the years but have always done our own thing too.

Astrels is something that’s a bit conceptual.

I’ve always been a big sci-fi fan and I wanted to do something cinematic, like a soundtrack to a film. Rather than make a soundtrack match an already existing film or story, we kind of did it the other way around: started making music and I later storyboarded a concept around it.

What sort of music influenced the sci-fi soundscapes?

A lot of old prog, early hip-hop and a lot dub sounds – Scientist, King Tubby and Lee Perry. Throw in some big George Clinton-style mad shit too.

How did the concept become cemented during lockdown? Did it give you more time to invest into the project?

Yeah, I was watching a lot of sci-fi stuff to pass the time. I then got into Stranger Things, which had a really immersive sort of vibe to it. Joe has all these keyboards in the studio; he’s like a mad scientist with all the vintage synths, analog synths, Moogs, organs – all that stuff. We started exchanging ideas and he’d start creating these sonic soundscapes. I started to realise that we were onto something different, something with an interesting hook to it.

You mention there’s a dystopian theme running through the album. Was that a direct link to the times we were in when you were making the album?

Well, it was a dystopian world! Nothing open, empty streets and roads. Those first couple months of lockdown were just mad. Police going out in helicopters to catch people walking in the Peak District!

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It was a bit Orwellian at times, wasn’t it? Then you throw in the conspiracy theories, the power of social media and the idea of post-truth. Well, I suppose it’s easy to see why my head went there.

EVEN THOUGH I'VE BEEN DOING MUSIC FOR A LONG TIME NOW, THIS IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS I'VE WORKED ON FROM A CREATIVE PERSPECTIVE.

You mentioned creating a story to go with the album. Could you tell me a bit about that?

It starts off with the main character, who is a bit like Sheffield’s Anakin Skywalker.

If I’m going to write about dystopian futures, I’m not going to write about New York or Tokyo or London like most do – it’s going to be based in Sheffield. It’s set 100 years in the future, natural resources are diminishing rapidly, people have lost their faith and they’re looking over their shoulders into the shadows.

Was there an element of not wanting the concept to overshadow the music, or the other way around?

Joe’s such a proficient programmer and musician who really knows his way around electronica. So he created these mad sounds but was also able to inject a lot of soul into it, give the music some great beats. I’d hear these sounds, reflect on my own influences and start with a title, like ‘Neon Messiah’, and then build around that.

Tell us a bit about that track, ‘Neon Messiah’.

‘Neon Messiah’ always felt very Blade Runner to me. I imagined a dark, decaying Sheffield in the rain, mistrust in the air and people shuffling around, keeping themselves to themselves. It follows this 16-year-old kid down at the River Don, looking up at the flats (I pictured Park Hill) where his mum lives, debating about leaving to join the Federation and discover new planets. That’s the beginning of the

MUSIC narrative. The song opens with the line, ‘Down by the water’s edge / I can see the stars shimmer in the sky’. That's Series One, Episode One! You have the music bringing the story to life, but are there plans to go further with this? Film or animation?

Absolutely. I’ve been looking for an animator, which would be amazing to do.

I’ve also been looking for a scriptwriter to come on board, so we can say, “Here’s the soundtrack and here’s the thread of the story. Can we build on this?” That would be amazing. The idea is to do a trilogy, this being the first album of three following this story and this world. Even though I’ve been doing music for a long time now, this is honestly one of the most exciting things I’ve worked on from a creative perspective.

Did you listen to any concept albums while making it? It feels a bit like this could be a Sheffield version of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds!

That’s a really good parallel. I did have War of the Worlds in my head when making it, that idea of ‘what’s out there?’

What a fantastic album. I went to see the live performance when it came to Sheffield and it just blew me away.

How did you ensure the tunes retained some danceability for performing live, or was that not a concern?

It’s that balance of saying what you want to say, but doing it in a way that people can move and relate to it. ‘Starship Motherchild’ is a real big tune, opening with these big drums, and it opens with, 'I just wanna fly away / far from this lonely place / beyond the stars in the sky / leave all this bullshit behind.' They’re pretty universal lyrics, so people can relate to them how they want. It’s not a ‘now, listen to me’ vibe at all.

You’ll be bringing the live show of The Velvet Sea & The Afterglow to Church – Temple of Fun. Tell us a bit about what people can expect from this space opera?

Killer hooks. Soaring vocals. Some great electronica. Fat beats – it’s a big sound.

Visually, it’ll also be interesting too. It’s an itch that I’ve wanted to scratch and we’re doing it now. It feels like we’re on to something here and it’s just a case of letting people know now.

Astrel’s play Church – Temple of Fun on 17 November. Tickets (£10) are available from skiddle. com. The debut album is out on 3 November. @astrels_music_band

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SHEFFIELD

521-523 Ecclesall Rd, Sharrow, Sheffield S11 8PR 0114 395 1699

MUSIC

Former BBC Performing Arts Fellow and Horizon Folk Award nominee Rosie Hood brings her ‘chamber folk’ quartet to Yellow Arch Studios this month and Exposed’s Maisie Hon-Jacobs caught up with the Sheffield resident ahead of the big hometown show…

Hi Rosie. Tell us a little bit about the Rosie Hood Band?

We’re a folk band playing traditional and new folk songs, including ones that I write.

There’s sweeping strings and driving melodeon that lift my voice with emotive harmonies and dynamic tunes. We like beautiful melodies and interesting time signatures.

Stories of love, nature, women’s voices and unheard narratives underpin the songs, and we’ve been described recently as having a “chamber folk” sound, which we like!

Your previous album was released as a solo endeavour.

How has recording with a band been different for you?

It’s been really great to have other musicians to share ideas, work on arrangements and to play together. I’ve felt so supported by the rest of the band musically and creatively that it’s allowed me to try new things and work in different ways. Band practices are a lot of fun but also a safe space to experiment with new sounds, different instrumentation and lyrical or melodic ideas. I think I’ve become a better musician

and definitely a much more capable and confident band leader through working with Nic, Rosie and Robyn.

How did you end up working with the band?

I’ve worked with Nicola Beazley for about 7 years, she plays fiddle and 5-string fiddle on the album and is also a fantastic arranger.

She’s known for working with accordionist and singer Alex Cumming and her own folk/ brass project. Last year, we decided to expand to a 4-piece and were delighted that Rosie Butler-Hall and Robyn Wallace agreed to join us. Both musicians have a lot of experience playing

for ceilidhs and dancing which really adds to the lift and drive in the band. Rosie plays fiddle and 5-string fiddle, and is part of the English Fiddle Ensemble, while Robyn is a melodeon-player and percussionist who plays in the Bellamira Ceilidh Band.

What are some of your musical influences?

I’m influenced by traditional English and European dance music and old source singers, revivalist folk singers like Peggy Seeger, Frankie Armstrong and Joni Mitchell, and more recent artists including Jim Moray, Karine Polwart and Bellowhead to name just a few!

Was there anything in particular that inspired your latest album?

There are lots of inspirations on the album including folktales and mythology as well as more current true stories, but there’s definitely recurring themes of nature and human struggle.

Do you have any exciting gigs coming up?

We have a show at Yellow Arch in November. It’s the last show of the tour and our home gig so we’re really excited about it. We actually recorded the album at The Keystone Studio with Tom A Wright upstairs from the Yellow Arch venue, so it feels like the perfect place to properly launch the album. It’s an early show as a lot of fans said they’d like a Sunday afternoon gig and I’d recommend getting there at the start as we’re being supported by some amazing young musicians in Transneptunian Objects.

The Rosie Hood Band play Yellow Arch Studios on Sunday 12th November.

Tickets: yellowarch.com

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 65

MUSIC OUR SHOUT SLAMBARZ Leadmill // 14 November // £5 The freshest bars from the finest young rappers and lyricists South Yorkshire has to offer – Slambarz returns to The Leadmill this month. The organisation helps to nurture talent and develop musicians aged 14-25 across the region and you can go to the see the best of these up-and-coming artists performing live. theleadmill.com

DREAMFLOWER COLLECTIVE – LIVE CHILDISH GAMBINO REINTERPRATION Foundry // 24 November // £10 Sheffield’s 8-piece jazz-funk ensemble Dreamflower Collective will be taking their insatiable live re-interpretation of Childish Gambino’s Awaken, My Love! album on tour around the UK. Formed in 2018 through a shared love for jazz, neo soul, hip-hop and funk, the band have spent the last few years both writing their own compositions and reworking their favourite music, bringing new life to contemporary albums with an electrifying mix of solos, breakdowns and improvisations theleadmill.com // foundry.com

THE MARY WALLOPERS Leadmill // 25 November // £15 Raucous folk punk outfit The Mary Wallopers treat us to another dose of their intoxicating live show for a Saturday night to remember. The dynamic outfit, known for their high-energy performances and irreverent take on traditional Irish folk music, promise plenty of foot-stomping tunes and a lively atmosphere.

PHOTO BY JAMBURRITO

theleadmill.com

ACID KLAUS

HEY, MICKEY! Mickey Nomimono // Shakespeares // 2 Dec Following a raucous gig at Sheffield General Cemetery last month to kick of a mini-UK tour, kitchen-sink troubadour Mickey Nominono will be back on home shores soon, celebrating his debut album with a finale show at Shakespeares.

The artist’s genre-bending debut record, The Second’s Always Better, was released on 27 Oct and tackle themes like mental health, toxic masculinity and our lack of choice under capitalism. These hardhitting truth are delivered over peppy DIY beats as the artist takes you on a satirical audio tour of modern-day life in the UK. A rising talent on the Steel City music scene, Mickey’s high-energy shows and engaging brand of electronic punk have been known to bridge the gap between the club and the pit. Expect a strong lead performance from one of the city’s finest live entertainers.

Support comes from Power Drill, Dust House and Kid Blu3. Tickets are available from fatsoma.com (£8). @mickeynomimono

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Yellow Arch // 30 November // £12 If you look at some of the most innovative electronic music that has come out of the beautiful North of England over the past years, from the psychedelic electronic rock of The Moonlandingz to the party electro of International Teachers of Pop. At the forefront of all these projects (and many more) is a man in a hat and shades called Adrian Flanagan, who’ll be bringing his inimitable electro dance pop back home so we can all have a boogie.

yellowarch.com

THE CHARLATANS Octagon // 28 Nov // £43 One of the UK’s most enduring and best-loved bands, The Charlatans have been an inspirational force in British music for more than 30 years, notching up 13 Top 40 studio albums – three of them Number ones – alongside 22 Top 40 singles, four of them Top 10 hits. More recently, the band released a career spanning vinyl box collection A Head Full Of Ideas, which you’ll be able to enjoy live on their latest tour.

academymusicgroup.com

where: Alder, S3 8BT when: Nov 18th doors 7pm free entry

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MUSIC DRASTIC// AUTOMATIC @ SHAKESPEARES Word: Ash Birch Photography: Lia Qin

Just a couple of miles down the road from a Friday night football capitulation at Hillsborough, we nearly had an even more drastic collapse, as the Jarred Up crowd at Shakespeares almost created a shortcut to the bar!

But, before we get into just how close we were to the seeing Drastic//Automatic bring the ceiling crashing down, it’s worth mentioning the evening’s main support, Duvet.

Hailing from Manchester, the punky, female-fronted five-piece were making just their second trip across the Pennines, this time fresh off the back of recently released split single, ‘GirlCow/Sweaty Dog’.

The former of which includes that most underutilised and grossly maligned of instruments, the cowbell – performed admirably this evening by lead singer, Grace Walkden.

Her accompanying vocal delivery sits somewhere between Penetration’s Pauline Murray and X-Ray Specs’ Poly Styrene, which is admittedly lofty company, but they’re young, they do a good line in cool girl aesthetic and while they’ve still got some way to go, they’re worth keeping an eye on.

Onto our evening’s headliners: our favourite local dystopian tune merchants Drastic// Automatic. It’s been a few months since the three-piece crashed onto our radar at Get Together festival and since then they’ve been busy with the release of latest single ‘Ravenscourt Park, 2004’, writing new tunes, and even a bit of writing work in these pages (turns out multi-talented lead singer Sean Hession is a journo in his own right).

We meander our way to the front of stage left as the band kick off with an unusually restrained newbie to the set.

Sean strums out a jangling chord progression, reminiscent of King 68 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Krule, while rasping his vocal.

The reserved start doesn’t last long as they fire into older material like ‘Cup Final’. The signs are good. They’re on their game this evening.

They’ll be the first to admit that, at times, their shows have been littered with equipment hiccups, and just when things are frantically bobbing along, the frustrating curse of equipment malfunction strikes again, and Sean has to swap out guitars.

I only mention this, as it’s been a recurring theme at the Drastic shows I’ve seen so far and perhaps this, mixed with a subdued crowd response in the early part of the show is feeding into the band’s visible frustration.

But, step forward the hero of the hour: Mr Will Kitching.

Not all heroes wear capes, but this one almost certainly does!

The flamboyant former Saints frontman pops up at the front of the crowd, out of nowhere, and begins thrashing about. Cue the massive bloke behind me making a beeline for Will’s slinky frame, shoulder at the ready,

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smashing straight through him.

And there it is – the spark has been ignited and off we go!

It serves to light a fire under Drastic//Automatic: Sean, no longer compulsively messing with his mic stand, screeches and pummels his way through the rest of the set, uninhibited and on the edge of unhinged, in other words, at his best; Benji smashes away on the drums like a bearded Sporty Spice, rocking 90s specs and space buns; Sissy can barely see there’s so much sweat pouring off him, and by the time we hit crowd favourite ‘Finish Line’ the roof is coming off.

However, the roof shouldn’t have been our concern.

As the penultimate song finishes, the landlady appears by the entrance. Is she heading for the pit? Nope. She makes her way to the front of stage, pulls Sissy over, and a quick word in his ear later he’s on the mic telling us to ‘stop the pit’, as apparently the ceiling downstairs is precariously straining under the force of the bouncing and we’re going to end up in the bar!

On hearing this, my instinct is that I’ve previously seen far more hectic chaos at The Shakey, at Tramlines for instance, but Jarred Up’s founder James Watkins explains, from the relative safety of the beer garden post-show, that as there were fewer people in the pit, they could travel further. I dunno – physics, I guess!

Despite Sissy’s tongue-incheek solicitation for the crowd to carry on as he delivers the bad news, the crowd do as they’re told and the final song of the night goes off with some slow motion, exaggerated shoulder bumping! Will, having played his part, disappears to the beer garden as quickly as he appeared before the final chord is struck; and it’s over. All a bit surreal, to be honest.

Despite the more unusual elements of the gig, the band’s performance only enhanced my belief that Drastic//Automatic have something special, and thankfully, tonight’s crowd got there in the end.

Words & photography: James Woollen I arrived at the venue around 7pm to see Chemtrails perform at the Samuel Worth Chapel. It was, fittingly, a dark October evening and the venue stood silhouetted against the sky, its windows shining bright and the steps bathed in soft yellow light, creating a warm welcome on what was a very chilly evening.

So, who are Chemtrails? The band consists of Mia Lust (guitar, vocals, keys); Laura Orlova (guitar, vocals, keys); Ian Kane (bass) and Liam Steers (drums). They are described as a post-garage-punk and psychedelic power pop band, which started out as a DIY bedroom recording project and became a full band in 2016.

In terms of musical influences, think Pixies, Blondie, Fat White Family, plus some 1960s psych and raw garage punk sounds thrown in there. They have a new album coming out, The Joy of Sects, which promises to be their boldest yet. With their danceable, rhythm-driven style and the trademark fuzzy guitars overseen by working producer Margo Broom (Fat White Family and Goat Girl), you can expect a whole new level of intensity.

The bar was busy, the venue quickly warming up as the crowds gathered. The band came onstage around 9.30pm and launched into a blistering set of eight songs, comprising of old and new material. They made good use of the small performance space, with both Mia and Laura dancing and swinging their guitars around while doing an impressive job of sharing lead vocals.

Songs that stood out on the night were ‘Blurred Visions’ and ‘Aeons’. The former, which opened the show, sounded like a modern-day take of 60s psychedelic garage, with nice guitar distortion and a keyboard sounding like an old Hammond adding a nice vibe. Vocals were nicely harmonised and catchy, making for a great set-opener that was well-received by the audience.

Aeons, from the Love of Toxic Wasteland EP, had a heavier feel to it with great guitar work, a punky edge and nice sound distortion. This song perfectly showcases all of Chemtrails’ musical talents and filled the packed venue with wonderful waves of sound.

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 69

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MUSIC

Galloping Dick are a three-piece genre-defying rock band based in Sheffield. Their upcoming EP, The Terror of the Road, includes the well-received ‘Werewolf Song’, a track showcased in their debut music video. Maisie HonJacobs met Andy (double bass), Craig (vocals) and Joe (drums) in The Cremorne to talk about influences, the new EP and creative collaborations.

Can I ask, first and foremost, about the name of your band?

Andy: Like so many things about the band, it was hatched outside the back of Shakespeare’s after a few pints. I had good luck with highway-related band names in the past, delving back into that source for inspiration, I found out about the character Richard Ferguson, a London highwayman with the slightly funny nickname ‘Galloping Dick’.

We kicked about various names, it’s fair to say, from the sublime to the ridiculous to the downright offensive, ending up giving ‘Galloping Dick’ a go. Some people said it was a really good idea and some said it was a really bad idea.

It’s nice seeing it now in things, normalised, people don’t laugh at us anymore.

What kind of genre, if any, would you put yourselves under? From what I have heard it seems sort of bluesy gothic rock?

Craig: Well, all of those things really; it’s a bit rockabilly, it’s a bit garage rock, there’s some heavier stuff in there as well as some dark, melancholy slightly bluesy bits. A mismatch of all those sort of things really.

Joe: Some of the places we played were for the blues crowd, and we’ve done that to some extent but never fully submerged into it. Same with the rockabilly crowd, and we have played with some much more modern and abstract bands as well.

So we are kind of a mix.

Craig: Yeah, we like to think we have a lot of cross-overs. We don’t really want to be pigeonholed as X Y or Z. It’s music isn’t it? It’s art.

Andy: And it’s worth saying, of course, that a lot of bands say they don’t want to be pigeonholed: “We’re a bit different,” etc. But we really genuinely believe it. We could just do a rockabilly thing,

and it’s a good representation of what we are doing musically. It’s very well recorded by a lovely guy called Dave Sanderson, who did a fantastic Job. Joe: I think he really captured what we are going for.

Craig: He sort of got it straight away. Immediately we thought, this is going to be good, and it was; it didn’t disappoint.

Andy: We’ve got one side that’s slightly fast bangers, then the other side that’s a bit slower and more melancholy, jangly and atmospheric. It’s a bit of a mix.

or bluesy thing, and it would be a hell of a lot easier to be popular. So yeah, we are consciously trying to carve something else out. Even if it makes our lives quite significantly harder.

Any big influences? I see you covered the Cramps, and you seem to have a similar sound to them?

Craig: Yeah, in a lot of ways we do. In our own sort of surreally sophisticated manner, we’ve got our own eccentricities in there that I’m sure Lux Interior would approve of. Our musical influences are pretty broad, so yeah, I wouldn’t want to pigeonhole it. I’m big into Nick Cave and Joes’ a big Dolly Parton fan.

Joe: Absolutely. But I think we’ve got a lot of shared interests, but we all pull in different directions.

Like, weirdly from my perspective, a lot of what I seem to play is 70s disco beats. I used to listen to a lot of 70s funk, and that just seems to work well. I guess that’s creative

collaboration.

To focus on your track ‘Don’t Like Your City’: can you tell me a little about it stylistically and lyrically?

I really liked it, it reminded me a bit of Iggy Pop vocally!

Craig: Yeah, it was a bit of a social commentary on some contention you see walking about through city centres, you’ll see very smartly dressed people working in offices and what not, casually walking past homeless people as if they’re not there. I find it quite surreal that that can happen and offensive at the same time, so hence the lyrics.

But yeah, stylistically, I’ll take Iggy Pop. I like that, it starts off a good octave lower than it ends, which is pretty Iggy Pop. I like The Growlers and Tom Waits and stuff like that. And the screamers, so there’s a bit of both, something for everybody.

Your brand new ‘Werewolf Song’ is out, along with a music video.

It looked like a lot of fun to make, how did you find the creative process?

Craig: We had a really good time making it, the important thing for us with this band is to enjoy what we’re doing. There isn’t really any pressure on us to do this or do that.

We just want to make music that we like. And make it how we want to do it. So it can be a bit weird and not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think we’ve all got a pretty strange sense of humour too. You can see that watching the music video.

Especially when Andy’s writing the script, who’s the real mastermind behind it.

Andy: Yeah it was great fun making it. There was a point where we were all in full-on werewolf masks rolling around on the floor and stuff, covered in fake blood. I think we gave passersby a bit of a shock. It came out really well though. Well produced but consciously a bit crap.

Galloping Dick’s EP ‘The Terror of the Road’ is out on 3rd December

And what can we expect from your upcoming EP? Craig: We are all very proud of it, WWWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 71

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A MONSTER MASH!

Spooky season never dies! So, it’s November, dear readers, and you’re not ready to let Mariah Carey out of her gift-wrapped box just yet. But considering that all the Halloween events were over weeks ago, what’s a goth in Sheffield to do?

Well, you can head to King Confuza’s Cryptid Queers #666 on Sat 18th November at BAL Fashions, celebrating their second birthday and sixth event out in the real world! Cryptid Queers began as a digital drag show during lockdown in August 2020, later having its first IRL show as an immersive cabaret night in DINA’s basement in November 2021. Since then, it’s evolved into a club night and drag show like no other in town!

This month, legends of the goth scene DJ Kohl and DJ L8N will be

providing the soundscape for their final party of the year. They also have afterparty tickets for entry from midnight, so if drag isn’t your thing you can still come and dance to their incredible guest DJs once the show ends. They will again be spotlighting rising monster talent alongside their main cast of some of the biggest names on the UK monster scene. DJs will be playing their blend of cyber, goth, industrial and old school floor fillers in the main room ‘til 3am. Expect two killer floor shows showcasing some of the best alt drag around with alternative 80s, trad goth and post-punk in the bar, starring King Crimson, Manly Mannington, King Confuza, Animosity, Local Woman and Switch-Blade.

There’s drag a-plenty this month from local queen Emma

Maezin, with her new regular night Hunday Service taking place every Sunday at the Three Tuns featuring drag queens, karaoke, games and shenanigans. You can also catch Emma at Maggie Mays for Dragoke Thursdays every week, Drag Karaoke at Maya Lounge (Fri 3 Nov), Ball Inn (Fri 10/Sat 18 Nov), Bagshaw Arms (Fri 17 Nov) and her Bottomless Brunch & Drag Show (Sun 26 Nov) at Revolución de Cuba.

Elsehwere, regular Drag DJ hostess DJ Brooke will be back behind the decks at Malin Bridge Inn for Fireball Fridays (Fri 17 Nov) and Sassy Saturdays (Sat 25 Nov). If you’re looking for some singalong pop bangers, don’t miss Almost P!nk at Malin Bridge Inn (Sat 4 Nov) – P!nk’s longest running impersonator who

guarantees a memorable show.

We have some top comedy this month at City Hall from household name Tom Allen (Thu 9 Oct), who’ll be touring a new show full of his signature acerbic wit and riotous storytelling. Eddie Izzard: the Remix (Wed 22/Thu 23 Nov) is another big comedy night, inspired by her ever loyal audiences to remix and re-imagine some of her personal comedy highlights.

And last but by no means least, Les Éclair (Fri 3 Nov) heads to Sidney & Matilda with their disco for women and minority genders with iconic DJ Sandra D of Popstars/Candy Bar/Vanilla fame.

And that’s your lot for this month! Make sure to check out the latest event announcements at facebook.com/sheffieldlgbtevents.

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CULTURE OUR SHOUT DUGZI DAYZ THEATRE DELI // 5 NOV // £9 Four students find themselves stuck in dugsi detention...

What did they do to end up here? And is there any chance of them getting on? Salma, Yasmin, Munira, and Hani each see the world and their place in it in radically different ways.

Subverting Somali folk tales and reminiscing about their childhoods, they slowly reveal their reasons for being there. theatredeli.co.uk

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE LYCEUM // 7-11 NOV // £15-£45 The best-selling crime novel of all time heads to Sheffield Theatres with a brand-new production! Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a storm cuts them off from the mainland, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

NOISES OFF LYCEUM // 28 NOV-2 DEC //£15-£45 One of the greatest British comedies ever written returns to Sheffield, direct from a sell-out West End run. Michael Frayn’s celebrated play serves up a riotous double bill, a play within a play following the on and offstage antics of a touring theatre company stumbling their way through a fictional farce. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

ENGLAND & SON PLAYHOUSE // 28-29 NOV // £12-£14 Set when The Great Devouring comes home, England & Son is a one-man play written by Ed Edwards specifically for the award-winning political comedian Mark Thomas. Expect a kaleidoscopic odyssey where disaster capitalism, empire, stolen youth and stolen wealth merge into the simple tale of a working-class boy who just wants his dad to smile at him.

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

UNNATURAL CYCLES – A GHOST STORY The going towards 31 Oct-12 Nov Site Gallery: Studio I Free This month, The University of Sheffield and Site Gallery will present The going towards by artist Elisa Larvego.

Featuring audiovisual work produced in Calais, France, The going towards exhibition seeks to amplify the voices of refugees, volunteers and activists in order to expose processes of marginalisation in the area.

The artist’s body of work centres around 'places of limit' – areas temporarily occupied due to social revolt or exile. Her sensitive documentary approach highlights the complexity of relationships between people and their surrounding landscapes. In Site Gallery’s Studio I, she will exhibit a three-screen video and audio installation focused on refugee experience in Calais.

THEATRE DELI // 18 NOV // £7.50-£12.50 There’s a growing dark cloud above the Rosenberg house.

Two women – one dead, one alive – need to reconcile their differences to remove it and let in new life. Written and performed by Avital Raz, this production is a nuanced exploration of infertility, faith and what it means to bear the weight of inherited generational trauma.

theatredeli.co.uk

SHEFFIELD PRINT FAIR MILLENIUM GALLERY // 11 NOVEMBER Sheffield Print Fair returns for its 10th year and will once again celebrate some of the finest printmaking talent in the city with 43 artists taking part. There will a wide range of prints for sale, available to buy direct from the artists, plus demonstrations, kids workshops, a print raffle and a printmaker’s printmaker award! sheffieldprintfair.blogspot.com

sitegallery.org.uk

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LGBTQ+ STORIES INSPIRE NEW PLAY FOR THE INTERNET AGE Wearing his favourite cardigan and blasting the Sugababes, Leon is about to dish the dirt - live and online.

Fall backwards through time to the dial-up internet era as he unravels the stories of his past like an old cassette tape.

Inspired by Bernardo’s ‘Not on the Radar’ report, Sheffield playwright Simon Marshall has worked alongside LGBTQ+ support groups to write a new play about ‘growing up gay’ in the internet age.

Alongside performances, community participants in Sheffield and Nottingham will be invited to share their stories through performance and creative writing workshops.

Meanwhile in Derby, Simon is working with Derbyshire LGBT+ and Derby Theatre to 78 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

pilot a new youth theatre group for LGBTQ+ teenagers.

Simon, whose work has been produced by Paines Plough and Sheffield Theatres, said the show has been “about four years in the making”. He added, “My generation of digital natives grew up when the internet was the Wild West. But it has always been a place of possibilities and connections.”

The play, which is called ‘Bonfire’, is about navigating some of those digital connections and realising how vulnerable and powerful you are as a teenager. “I wanted to get to the heart of what LGBTQ+ people have to navigate to find others like them,” Simon continues, “but I also wanted to write something full of hope and joy.”

Bonfire brings together a team of new talent. Director Alice Fitzgerald, whose work has played at London’s Royal Court, and Drama Centre alumni Oliver McLellen join Simon to bring the production to life.

Alice said of the play: “Bonfire is a heart-pounding journey back to the dial-up internet era, set to a soundtrack of noughties bangers. I’ve admired Simon’s writing for almost a decade, so working with him on this is an honour.”

Bonfire heads to Playhouse at Sheffield Theatres on 15-16 Nov. Tickets (£12-£14) are available now from sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

EMAIL: EVENTS@SWFC.CO.UK

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CULTURE EXHIBITION PREVIEW: A PLAYGROUND IN THE FACTORY

OPENING UP SHEFFIELD’S ART SCENE Organisers of Open Up Sheffield have launched their 2024 call for artists and makers, providing a fantastic opportunity to join the five-day festival in May, invite the public to take a peek into your studio and maybe purchase some original work!

Interested artists have until 31st January 2024 to submit, with an earlybird reduced fee of £80 running until 1st November 2023.

Andy Van Vliet, one of this years’ featured artists who also helps to organise the event, told Exposed: “Open Up Sheffield is special in so many different ways, but for us it’s about connecting people with artists and makers, their creativity and many interesting places in and around the city.

“It’s about talking about what you do, your creative practice, and reaping the rewards (creative, financial, and practical) from engaging with a curious public and the network of over 100 other artists and makers that often join us.

“Whether you’re new to your practice and want to take some first steps in exhibiting your work, you’re a seasoned pro and building your market and networks, or someone that wants to give something back to the city and your neighbourhood Open Up is a great opportunity for you.”

This year’s event took place over two bank holiday weekends (29 Apr-1 May and 6-7 May 2023), and gave Sheffielders a chance to engage with talented artists and makers who opened up their studios, inviting them to witness first-hand the incredible craftsmanship and diversity of creative work on display.

If you’re thinking about Open Up for the first time, the team encourage you to contact them so they can talk you through what it’s all about and even help you to prepare. They have special rates for newcomers and Studio Groups wanting to apply with advertising/sponsorship opportunities as well.

Andy added: “We really hope that you’ll all join us in 2024, and please do send this message on to others who you think might be interested as well!”

See www.openupsheffield.co.uk for details on how to submit for the 2024 event.

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This Autumn, renowned painter Paul Housley brings a series of new works to Sheffield’s very own art factory, Yorkshire Artspace. The exhibition, aptly called A Playground in the Factory, will be Housley’s first exhibition in the city for over 20 years and is something of a homecoming for the artist, who graduated from Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1986.

Since then, Housley has enjoyed great success in the art world for his expressive canvases that capture everyday subject matter such as plastic toys, cuddly animals and – most recently – the contents of his painting studio.

A Playground in the Factory comes hot on the heels of exhibitions in London, Vancouver, Bologna and Berlin. Asked about his new exhibition and returning to Sheffield, Housley says: Characters, places and memories inhabit the studio, it’s a place of constant flux. Ideas and motifs, new possibilities and dead ends, the studio contains them all, it’s simply a race against the clock to unearth as many as I can.

“I was good at two things at school: staring out the window and watching the clock. In actuality, there was a third: drawing, which was a bit like doing both those things at once. Time and daydreaming, work and play, chaos and discipline. These are the things that have shaped my existence.”

Signed posters and limited-edition prints will be available to buy from the exhibition, which runs from Friday 10 November to Saturday 2nd December. (Thursday – Saturday, 11am – 4pm) at Persistence Works, 21 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS. Entry is free.

NEVER LOOK BACK The untold story of African soldiers who fought for Britain in World War Two will be brought to life at The Crucible this month.

Sheffield actor and director John Rwothomack wrote the new play Never Look Back.

The historical fiction takes inspiration from his Ugandan family heritage and the reallife King’s African Rifles (KAR).

This regiment, composed of soldiers from East and Southern African commonwealth nations but led by chiefly white British officers, fought in several key campaigns during World War Two. John, the founder of Sheffield’s Roots Mbili Theatre, said: “Both my grandfathers served on the frontline in World War Two, and my great-grandfather served in World War One. I felt that legacy was the past that’s missing for me.

“I didn’t know anything about what they had gone through because it simply wasn’t spoken of. Many Africans today still don’t know the stories of their grandparents in the war. I believe this is the first time this story has been told in a theatre.”

A sharing of the first act of Never Look Back will head to the famous Sheffield theatre for one night only on 4 November, a week before Remembrance Day and just after Black History Month concludes.

The production focuses on the relationship between veteran Komakech Ogwang and his granddaughter Anena Gladis. She wants to know more about his service while he is uneasy about unearthing the past.

In the show, the conversations transport the audience back from present-day Uganda to 1944.There, the daily terrors of war, sacrifices and racial inequality experienced by the KAR soldiers are unflinchingly revealed.

More than a year of research undertaken in Africa and the UK has gone into production. Award-winning director James Ngcobo is at the helm. John explained how commemorating soldiers of the KAR, rarely mentioned in remembrance terms or history lessons, was a driving force for the work.

He added: “I tried so hard to find these stories, some legacy for the soldiers, but it doesn’t exist. These soldiers are not recognised for what they did.

“That’s why I had to write this show, to offer some kind of recognition.”

Tickets for the Never Look Back show at The Crucible are available on a pay-as-youfeel basis, starting at £5. The work-in-progress performance is part of the production’s development before it transitions to a full tour.

It starts at 7 p.m. on November 4 and includes a Q&A session with the cast and creative team afterwards.

Book tickets by calling the box office on 0114 249 6000 or visiting sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

THE HYPOCHONDRIAC @ THE CRUCIBLE Words: Katie Fischer Photography: Manuel Harlan Having only seen one Molière play before, which was in the original French and therefore far beyond my GCSE vocab comprehension, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Sheffield Theatres’ The Hypochondriac.

It turned out to be an absolute treat: two hours of unbridled entertainment provided by a stellar cast who never put a foot (or a note) wrong. Roger McGough’s adaptation of the classic comedy felt light, fresh and above all great fun, with witty dialogue that kept up the pace and humour all the way through the production.

Sarah Tipple’s direction and her brilliant cast excelled at bringing the script to life, managing to make the rhyming patterns sound natural and conversational while emphasising the funniest turns of phrase and wordplay to great comic effect.

There was plenty of movement and music cleverly integrated into the story too, from Jonathan Ainscough’s on-stage musical direction to the hilarious musical mash-up that ensues when daughter Angelique’s suitor Cléante (wonderfully played and sung by Saroja-Lily Ratnavel and Zak Ghazi-Torbati respectiely) arrives to declare his feelings.

The creative team’s set design also deserves a mention for its incredible detail, transporting the audience into the mind of Argan and his seventeenth century French home even before the first actors enter the stage.

The Hypochondriac’s title character was played with almost Cleesian physical comedy and diction by Edward Hogg, leading a super talented team of people who clearly have funny bones. This felt like a production where every member of the cast and crew came together in (literally) perfect harmony, culminating in an evening of pure enjoyment that should be on prescription for anyone in need of a good laugh.

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 81

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“A FESTIVAL WHICH CELEBRATES CREATIVITY AND TECHNICAL INNOVATION” Sensoria is our homegrown festival of music, film and digital arts, which prides itself on providing a series of unique experiences ranging from exhibitions in unconventional places to showcasing cutting-edge music technology. If you caught a glimpse of our preview last month, you might have been enticed by one or more of these events. However, just in case anything slipped your notice, Mark Perkins, a self-professed Sensoria festival enthusiast, has compiled a summary for your convenience.

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Nordic Giants are a band I missed the last time they played Sheffield, and I have long wanted to put that right. How to review a band that is often said to ‘defy description’?

Well, it certainly didn’t disappoint as it was like very little else I’ve ever seen. They played a selection of instruments in semi-darkness, primarily based around Roka’s drumming, with Loki stage left on keyboards. Not that you could tell for sure who they were, as they were both dressed in bizarre costumes and bathed in all different light colours.

Behind them, films were projected on

screens, which enhanced the music so that everything became a fully integrated, distinctly different immersive experience.

Sensoria often focuses on the intersection of music and visual images, so an act like Nordic Giants were always destined to go down a treat.

Sensoria Pro is a whole day where the festival organisers provide opportunities for composers, filmmakers, music publishers and supervisors, games developers and just about anyone with an interest in music and film to spend a day together. Throughout the day there were chances to do things like chat with the team behind the new Full Monty series or listen to Will Gregory and Adrian Utley from Goldfrapp and Portishead being interviewed, amongst other intriguing bits and bobs. As usual, the much anticipated soundtracking competition punctuated the afternoon, and the day was all capped off in the evening with a trek up to the University Drama Studio for an event called High Scores – three performances showcasing how the electronic music of video games has had such an impact on past and present culture.

We Are Not Devo are a Sheffield-based five-piece, who, it will come as no surprise to learn, play music comprising entirely of songs from the back catalogue of 70s new

be allowed to do a bit of knob-twiddling, but the big draws are the talks and demonstrations. Even with my rudimentary knowledge of such things, I was in awe of the chance to hear a talk and performance by Lydia Kavina, herself a renowned theremin player, who has not only met Bob Moog but is the granddaughter of Leon Theremin himself, and who was taught by him to play that absolute zenith of all electronic musical devices.

Personally, the most memorable part of Sensoria 2023 was the chance to finally go inside the Moore Street Electricity Substation to see the My Brutal Life exhibition. For those unfamiliar, the building stands as a monument to brutalist architecture, situated opposite Waitrose as

you make your way into town. Designed and constructed in 1968 by Jefferson Sheard, it obtained Grade II-listed status a decade ago. It’s long been illuminated at night, highlighting its stark beauty, and is a building I absolutely love, symbolising the regeneration of Sheffield after its centre was all but destroyed in the war.

The event brought together work by photographers, artists and musicians, all displayed in the cavernous and atmospheric space at the top of the building. Entry was restricted in numbers and the experience was time-limited, so I felt very privileged to be there. One of the installations had music by The Black Dog, who themselves played at the Drama Studio for the final night of Sensoria’s live events. Much as they had in the exhibition, they launched their new album by performing a live AV set, with each piece of music accompanied by a film, all of them fascinating in their own ways. It was a superb night of electronic musicianship and the perfect way to close a festival which celebrates creativity and technical innovation.

Get more information on the festival and dates for next year's event at www.sensoria.org.uk.

Follow on socials: @sensoriafest WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 85

PHOTOS BY LAURA MERRILL AND TRACEY WELCH

wave band Devo. A bit of a niche event you might think, and perhaps it was, but such was the enthusiasm and musicianship of the players that everyone, fans and newcomers alike, were carried along in the fun during a hugely enjoyable evening.

Sandwiched in the midst of all this is the annual meetup of synth heads and devotees of all things that have tiny flashing lights on them: Synthfest. Sound On Sound magazine, in partnership with Sensoria, organise an event where both large companies and individual makers, all cram into the Octagon to show off their wares – including a guy who’s there every year with his original, looks-like-a-telephone-exchange Moog synthesiser. Myself, knowing very little about any such devices, was happy just to

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THROUGH THE LENS

BENJI WILSON

First of all, could you introduce yourself to the Exposed readership?

Hi! My real name is Benji Wilson, but I go by Jamburrito for my photography (don’t ask!).

I’ve lived in Sheffield for around eight years now and have been documenting the local music scene here since we were allowed gigs again after the pandemic.

I primarily shoot live music, but I also do promo shoots and music videos. I’m a musician as well, currently playing in Drastic/Automatic, and have played in the past with Saintes and Django Jones and the Mystery Men.

How did you develop an interest in photography?

I was given a Pentax Super ME, 35mm film camera for Christmas during the pandemic and quite quickly fell in love with shooting in analogue format. I think it’s a good introduction to photography for a beginner because there is no ‘auto’ mode to lean on. It forces you to learn the fundamentals of exposure and because you only have 36 shots on a roll that you’re paying for, you end up thinking a lot more about composition.

When I first started shooting gigs on film, I realised how difficult the low light conditions are and had to rely on a bunch WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 89

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of experimental techniques to increase the amount of light I could get onto the film, primarily multiple exposures, which is somewhat a staple in my photography.

I tend to shoot on digital mostly now due to the cost of film, but I emulate the style of film where I can and jump at the chance to use analogue formats if the budget is there.

I try my best to capture a feeling and an aesthetic for a show rather than the traditional band photo style. I like to incorporate long exposures, motion blur, light trails and, of course, multiple exposures. I’m in no way the first person or the only person to use these techniques, but it does create unexpected and unique images which are different to the majority of music photography you see.

You cover a lot of local music events and artists. What do you enjoy most about live photography?

First and foremost, I love live music and enjoy being in that environment regardless of if I’m taking photos or not.

Live music photography is quite a free art form in my view. There isn’t really an expectation and most musicians appreciate the more weird and wacky photos I create, especially in the social media age where standing out from the crowd is the only way to get noticed.

The lighting conditions also give you endless opportunities to play with and each venue is different, which can be challenging, but I find the most conventionally difficult conditions often produce the best photos because you are forced to be creative to get something cool.

Who on the Sheffield music scene do you particularly enjoy shooting?

Difficult to choose! The first band I took photos of were Femur at a socially distanced show in 2021 and I’ve done a bunch of their gigs since, as well as a promo shoot and a music video which is 90 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK

out now. Their aesthetic matches mine well and they move around a lot, so there’s a lot to work with.

Another artist I’ve worked with several times who is always a joy is Mickey Nomimono. We’ve done a couple of music videos and a bunch of live and promo shoots together and he has a confidence in front of the camera that not many people can match.

Do you have a favourite shot to date?

My favourite shot is usually the last thing I’ve done. I’m not sure I could pick one specific shot and if I did it’d be different tomorrow.

Do you have a dream artist or gig to shoot?

I don’t really care much for big shows; I like the intimate nature of grassroots venues and local musicians. That being said, I’d love to shoot King Gizzard.

Do you think they’d ever play in the basement at Sidney and Matilda?

What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who are looking to refine their craft and find their own style?

Don’t worry about gear too much. Learn to use what you have, then work upwards from that. Buying a £1,000 camera won’t make you a good photographer. I used a £70 camera for the first year after getting into photography and I still use it on a regular basis.

Also, challenge yourself as much as possible. You’ll learn so much faster and also probably create something much more interesting if you put yourself in difficult conditions. Don’t be afraid to fail and give yourself space to be creative.

Finally, don’t be precious about your work or jealous of other creatives. Make what you want to make and be consistent.

Not everybody has to like what you do – just you.

See more of Benji’s work at @ jamburrito1

WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK | 91

SEE YOU IN ORCHARD SQUARE, SHEFFIELD CITY CENTRE’S RETAIL, LEISURE AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION.

www.orchardsquare.co.uk

The Schoolrooms is the perfect cafe to kick start your day in the Peaks or just take a break and enjoy a hearty meal C afé & k itchen op en Mon d ay – Su nd ay, 9 am – 5 pm .

INTRODUCING

Assembly, our all new, late night, neighbourhood Bar & Bistro, working the evening shift on behalf of The Schoolrooms.

With the help of our newly acquired, talented chefs, our aim is to provide a superb dining experience for all occasions, putting a modern twist on traditional British dining.

Open Wednesday to Friday evenings 4pm til late Saturday 1pm til late Sunday for drinks only from 1pm - 8pm.

Fully Loaded

Viewings Start Now

STUDENT Homes

Broomhill

ON CAMPUS!

Ecclesall Road

r

o smo

e rook

C

All IL B LS inclusive options

All fully loaded with

NO NO 5 YOUR AGENTS GOOGLE or RATING FULLY JUNE FEES Deposit till

DEPOSITS

PROTECTED

Flat screen TVs

Washers Dryers hers Dishwas and all are kitchenw d e d inclu

FREE Superfast Fibre

Optic Broadband

We have a full time 24hr response maintenance team.

All our properties conform to and EXCEED Sheffield City Council requirements.

All the facilities you could ask for in great locations and a service second to none.

No Agents involved.

You deal directly with us, the Owners

Call 0114 2670155 or Christina 07813130953 info@paproperties.co.uk papropertiessheffield

paproperties.co.uk

paproperties

@PA_Sheffield

paproperties.co.uk

PA Properties