THE RISE OF S6

In recent years, Hillsborough has gained a deserved reputation as an ‘up and coming’ area of Sheffield, thanks largely to a host of new businesses opening in the S6 suburb. UnLTD gauged the feelgood factor by speaking to some of the people behind a few of them…

THE HILLSBOROUGH REFILL HUB - CHANTELLE CRONJE

Tell us about your business.

We’re a low-waste refill store. We provide a service for people to bring their own reusable containers and fill up on food, cupboard essentials and cleaning products. We also offer some reusable household alternatives to plastic-based products.

Why did you choose Hillsborough to open the shop?

Firstly, we live in Hillsborough and we selfishly wanted a refill store on our own doorstep. What we’re trying to do is provide accessible and affordable low-waste living to people and, of course, one of the first things that is required to do that is to make it close to people. Hillsborough was missing a shop like this.

ANNIE JUDE’S FAITH NICHOLSON

Give us the lowdown on your business?

We’re a shop in the heart of Hillsborough that sell a wide range of products to cover everybody’s gifting needs. All the stock is either handmade or small business, with loads of it actually being made locally, which is absolutely amazing.

What excites you about the new crop of businesses in S6?

They’re all very passionate, which is really important, and they all love Hillsborough. Everybody really wants it to be a success.

The Orange Bird Anne Horner And Matthew Dugganjones

You both have vast experience working in venues around the city. Why did you pick Hillsborough to open your own place?

AH: We both live in Hillsborough and we thought then, what we know now, that there was potential for more here than there was.

MDJ: I’ve always loved the buzz of Hillsborough. It’s always busy. A lot of people were saying we should open in Walkley or Broomhill, but it’s not quite the same.

How do you feel about being part of this new community?

AH: Great. I don’t know how much specifically it helps our business, but I think it’s just elevated Hillsborough in people’s minds. The same people who would say to us, ‘Why are you opening in Hillsborough?’ now say to us, ‘Oh yeah, Hillsborough is up and coming, isn’t it?’

MOLLY’S CAFÉ AND DELI LUCY POPLAWSKI

Molly’s had quite an eventful start to life. Tell us where it all began? We opened the day before the very first lockdown was announced! We were originally a coffee shop, so we quickly took all the seating out and became grab and go. We were constantly having to adapt and change the business, virtually overnight, just to survive. My idea of having a quiet little café, where I could read a book in a comfy chair, never really came to fruition!

How has Hillsborough changed in recent years?

When I was little, I remember the wet fish shop, the greengrocers and little independents. It was always really, really busy. Over the last decade it seemed to recede a little. Then, with people working from home more, they saw that there are things in their local area. I don’t think you should be scared of competition; you should embrace it and work together.

Antler Grill And Wine Meysam Iravani

How has the restaurant been received since opening last year?

The Pangolin Craft Beer Nick Davy

Tell us about Pangolin.

We’re a craft beer bottle shop and bar. We serve draught and packaged beer alongside a selection of natural wines, a few little cocktails and some mega quality cider as well.

How does it feel to be part of Hillsborough’s recent resurgence as a destination?

It’s brilliant to be a part of Hillsborough’s business community. It boosts everybody, because you have customers that will use all the different businesses. You’re not so much in competition as the bigger the customer base is, the more custom there is for all of us. It’s a really great area to be in at the moment.

We serve honest food that truly comes from our hearts, and we feel that people really appreciate that. We don’t fake anything, and we are very proud to preserve the original flavours of Iran. It brings us a lot of joy to see that customers are genuinely curious about the original Persian ingredients we use and the traditions we try to showcase.

Why did you choose to open in Hillsborough?

As locals ourselves, we chose to open here because we felt that this area had huge potential, and we saw a few other great places opening here around the same time. We felt that we could be a good addition to S6 by offering something different. We are happy to see other amazing businesses opening here, bringing more and more colour to Hillsborough. We can’t wait to see more.

For this month’s local business showcase, we hear from Charlotte Scott, the founder of Sheffield-based sustainable sign company Sparrow & Thistle.

Tell us about your business – sell yourselves!

Sparrow and Thistle create bespoke hand-painted fabric signs for a range of events including corporate gatherings, networking events, weddings and celebrations. Launched with a desire and drive to keep traditional textile methods alive with a modern twist, we create unique designs to dress event spaces time and time again.

In my Kelham Island studio, I draw and hand paint slogans onto fabrics measuring up to three metres, taking pride in utilising skills and experience honed while studying fashion and textiles at Huddersfield University. The signs created by Sparrow and Thistle give event organisers the chance to put their stamp on the decor/styling of venues while also being sustainable.

Where did the inspiration to set up Sparrow & Thistle come from?

Previously working as a textiles teacher for six years, I was inspired to establish the business after finding it difficult to order bespoke signage for her own wedding. I was in search of a unique way to style the venue and realised it was something I could do myself. After that, I got the ‘buzz’ to do more and made the decision to establish the business.

I love the texture of painted fabric signs, imperfections included, because they make a statement.

I’m very passionate about keeping traditional textile skills alive, and I’m a huge advocate for investing in such techniques in order for the industry to survive and thrive.

I currently have my sights set on using embroidery skills to expand the Sparrow and Thistle range in the future.

How does the process usually work when a client gets in touch?

I work closely with each customer to bring their vision to life, from concept to typography styles and display options. I’ll spend time understanding the brief before getting the creative process underway. Depending on the size of the order, it usually takes around 10-12 weeks to get the finished product.

I recently created signs for In Good Company, a supportive network of female professionals in Sheffield, which will be used in The Mowbray. I regularly create signs for weddings, which can be kept as mementos, and Sparrow and Thistle has supplier slots with several wedding and events distribution businesses. We’ve also displayed signage at several showcases across South Yorkshire.

How can people get involved?

I’m very happy to discuss projects of all sizes and requirements, and I love to get involved from the early stages of planning. For anybody wishing to enquire about a hand-crafted sign, contact me on charlotte@sparrowandthistle.

Sector: Pharmaceutical/Health

Sector: Property

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