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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010 THE MUSIC EDITION VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 ELIOT KENNEDY Sheffield’s own hit-machine talks about pop songs and his charity work. ROCK THE DRESS We chat to Katy omson about the latest trend in wedding photography. PERFECT PITCH e Apprentice star Claire Young tells us the secrets to an effective presentation. MAKING A MARK e top 30 Sheffield-grown brands are revealed, with a few surprises! BUSINESS, LIFESTYLE, ART, CULTURE AND MUCH MORE »

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This edition of the magazine brings you a little insight into some of Sheffield’s musical talent - both past and present. The Steel city is steeped in musical history and to this day still produces amazing artists and producers, including a modern electronic sound born on the dance floor of Sheffield’s clubs (bring back gatecrasher!). In the following pages you will find interviews with the artists such as Eliot Kennedy, who is a powerhouse of music production/song writing and responsible for a lot of the songs you find yourself singing along to on the radio. We also take a trip from the beginning of the golden age of Sheffield’s music scene in the 1980’s to present day; plotting the progression of bands and solo artists who have become household names (and some who will no doubt become so very soon). We also have a new column in this month’s issue written by Claire Young, who featured in BBC One’s The Apprentice, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Made in Sheffield Magazine

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2010

THE MUSIC EDITIONVOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

ELIOT KENNEDYSheffield’s own hit-machine talks about pop songs and his charity work.

ROCK THE DRESSWe chat to Katy Thomson about the latest trend in wedding photography.

PERFECT PITCHThe Apprentice star Claire Young tells us the secrets to an effective presentation.

MAKING A MARKThe top 30 Sheffield-grown brands are revealed, with a few surprises!

BUSINESS, LIFESTYLE, ART,

CULTURE AND MUCH MORE »

Page 2: Made in Sheffield Magazine

5k Charity Walk Sunday, 10th October 2010Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield tel: 0114 226 5370 email: [email protected]

www.wphcancercharity.org.uk

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5k Charity Walk Sunday, 10th October 2010Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield tel: 0114 226 5370 email: [email protected]

www.wphcancercharity.org.uk

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LETTERFROM THE EDITOR

ISSUE 4:THE MUSIC EDITION

M usic has played such a large part of my life in the city and I am really excited to be bringing you the music edition of Made in Sheffield Magazine.

This edition of the magazine brings you a little insight into some of Sheffield’s musical talent - both past and present.

The Steel city is steeped in musical history and to this day still produces amazing artists and producers, including a modern electronic sound born on the dance floor of Sheffield’s clubs (bring back gatecrasher!).

In the following pages you will find interviews with the artists such as Eliot Kennedy, who is a powerhouse of music production/song writing and responsible for a lot of the songs you find yourself singing along to on the radio.

We also take a trip from the beginning of the golden age of Sheffield’s music scene in the 1980’s to present day; plotting the progression of bands and solo artists who have become household names (and some who will no doubt become so very soon).

We also have a new column in this month’s issue written by Claire Young, who featured in BBC One’s The Apprentice, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy. We also have all the usual interviews, advice and opinion from the best that Sheffield has to offer.

N’ar mash a brew, put your feet up’n’enjoy yet another fantastic edition of Made in Sheffield Magazine.

[email protected]

This month’s Made in Sheffield The Music Edition

Supported by

Made in Sheffield are:

Editor: Jen Walshaw

Design & layout: Chris Dowson

Reporter: Loic Tuckey

Additional editorial: Sophie Mei Annie Darling Kt Evans

Columnists: Victoria Wood Mike Bramall Claire Young Aaron Best Andy Hanselman

With thanks to: Smart Art Galleries (cover)

To advertise: 07950 500 290

If you would like to pitch an article for a future issue of the magazine please email Jen Walshaw at the address opposite with details. All content © 2010 Gemini Directories Ltd (unless otherwise specified). All rights reserved.

FEATURES

Electric Dreams Music timeline .......................................................................... 4-5

Disco 2010 New bands ............................................................................................. 5-6

No one cares Venue decline ......................................................................................... 12

Rock the dress Serendipity photography .................................................... 17-18

Focus on S6 businesses ....................................................................................... 28-29

Best brands Top 30 Sheffield-grown brands ...................................... 32-34

PROFILES

The golden touch Goldenscan ..................................................................................... 11

The Boardwalk Venue of legend(s) .......................................................................... 13

Cubana Review .................................................................................................................... 12

Hit machine Eliot Kennedy ............................................................................ 20-21

A thousand words Tom Anthony Photography ......................................... 26

COLUMNISTS

Victoria Wood Opinion ................................................................................................ 12

Andy Hanselman Business advice .................................................................. 17-18

Mike Bramall Accountancy advice ..................................................................... 24

Claire Young Business advice .................................................................................. 24

Aaron Best Property ........................................................................................................ 31

REGULARS

Made in Sheffield Ruth Amos ..................................................................................... 4Upcoming events What to see and where to go............................................ 37

Event gallery See and be seen .......................................................................... 38-39

Page 4: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Page 5: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Opinion Made in Sheffield Victoria Wood 100% Made in Sheffield Ruth Amos

“Where are you from?”“Sheffield.”“Wednesday or United?”

Sheffield is the proud home to two of the world’s most famous football clubs … and Sheffield United! Okay, okay, I’m kidding …

Granted, I’m not asked this question very often - mainly due to the fact that I’m a girl. It’s probably a good thing, as it’s not the safest question to ask me.

My answer? Well, I’m Wednesday through and through; since the acquisition of my Uncle’s season ticket in 1989, I’ve sat on the North Stand at Hillsborough. Come rain or shine, hail or snow - I’ve been there.

I’ve followed them right the way to Brighton, Southampton, and London. I even made the trip to Newcastle on a weeknight not so long ago.

This season, I’m planning my trips to Yeovil, Carlisle and Bournemouth. Thrilling!

Sadly, 20-odd years of pain and suffering cannot prevent me from going to the games, I wish it could! I’ve found myself leaving the hallowed ground after a horrendous defeat wishing something could hinder the passion that I have for Sheffield Wednesday.

In reality, nothing will.Of course, we are this close to seeing World Cup football

in Sheffield too, thanks to our fine city being chosen as one of the hosts for the 2018 bid. Hillsborough won it, of course. (Okay, sorry, I’ll stop it.)

The fact is, passion is something we Sheffielders share, be us blue or red.

We have a passion for our club that will never die. We’ll be there in the Premiership (and we’ll still moan) and we’ll be there in the conference if we need to be. We pull that shirt out of the wardrobe, we put it on and we’re full of passion.

It’s part of our Sheffield nature. Passion. Just another thing we should be proud of.

Victoria can be found on Twitter as @fairycomms,

or you can email [email protected]

At just 20 years old, Ruth Amos has made her mark on the world of engineering and business by designing and selling The StairSteady, an invention that won her the Young Engineer for Britain Award 2006.

The StairSteady is a low-cost alternative to a stair lift and began as a GCSE project; the original idea coming about when a teacher’s father suffered a stroke and was told he needed to continue exercising but was unable to use his stairs - something a StairSteady would have enabled him to do. In 2006 she set up her own company to produce and sell the product.

It’s now four years since she first came up with the idea and it has been a rollercoaster ride, culminating recently with a nomination for a women of the year award. “I love what I do,” says Ruth. “The fact that we are making a difference to people’s lives and I get to do something I love is Fantastic!”

For Ruth the support she gets from other business owners is crucial to her success. “It’s fantastic how supportive everyone is; there are so many role models in Sheffield. It’s full of creative and dedicated people doing really exciting things. I am lucky to be part of such a supportive network.”

What does the future hold for Ruth? “I’m not really sure, I’m a very ambitious person,” she tells us. “I am lucky that I have so much support from my family and local businesses. I think that anything can happen if you put your mind to it, the first step is always the biggest.”

And her advice to others? “Do something that scares you every day, it keeps you on your toes!”

Victoria Wood

Victoria runs the Sheffield-

based Public Relations and

Copywriting company,

Fairy Communications.

Ruth Amos

In Association with:

You can find out more about Ruth Amos and the

StairSteady at www.stairsteady.net

Page 6: Made in Sheffield Magazine

6 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

F inishing school gave the young adults of the 1960s and 70s precious little options. As the beating sound of the drop-forges plagued the youth of the city, decisions were being made

which would go on to shape the future of music in the UK.The city was grim. No culture to speak of and a lot of

time to waste. This bred a sense of wanting to make things happen; no one wanted to sit around learning how to play an instrument - they just wanted to play.

Chris Watson says the music he saw in the city was rubbish and, convinced he could do better, he co-founded Cabaret Voltaire in 1973.

They had little interest in conventional sounds and they wanted to experiment with something new. Using tape recorders, microphones and acoustic instruments, the band began to create music without the use of customary devices. They began to develop sounds no one had heard and they began to establish a new music scene. Watson describes it as a social group of people with common aims and an interest to push boundaries in the arts, music, sounds and the printed word.

The live music scene didn’t kick off until 1977, when the popularity of Sheffield R&B band The Extras reached boiling point. After that the city was flooded with live music and for the first time, fanzines were being produced which would detail new bands in new venues that you had to go to.

Collectively the city began to approach music in a whole new way. There was a new aesthetic. Punk had opened the doors to a new acceptance in music and Sheffield wanted to steam through them. As more and more punk bands began to inspire and copy each other, many of Sheffield’s bands were producing sounds never before heard.

In 1980 Sheffield’s most exciting music venue opened. The Leadmill was a sanctuary for art and expression and became home to many of the city’s emerging talents. Many of the bands who had formed in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, were finally afforded a place to demonstrate their music and vision.

The decade was prolific in some ways and a graveyard in others - thanks mainly to the regressive 80s government. Work became just a four-letter word to some as Trade Unions folded soon after (and sometimes before) the trades they represented and local steel (and further afield coal) production all but ceased. The outlook for the city was bleak.

There were no jobs and the dole was a free-for-all that aided the creative movement and artists within the area. This helped inspire an entire city and out of it came an abnormally large array of bands and artists.

Clubs like The Leadmill opened up new possibilities for bands

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THE 1980s

Music Made in Sheffield Timeline

It’s the early ‘70s and the Sheffield music scene is about to explode. Future music pioneers are still turning up to community centres, attempting to make music with distorted guitars and battered drums. The mere idea of getting up on stage is the driving force behind the start of the music scene in Sheffield, and one of the most famous eras in musical history.

ELECTRIC DREAMS

6 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Page 7: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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The 1990sSheffield’s dedication to electronic music was again evident at the turn of the decade. In the early ‘90s the future sound of electronic music was defined by the massively influential Warp, a record label founded in Sheffield that is home to such artists as Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus and Sheffield outfit LFO.

Their influence can still be heard today: member Mark Bell is the man behind Bjork’s unique and innovative sound, with many of her backing tracks being unused or obscure LFO tracks, which in turn influenced many of today’s electronic artists: anyone who cites Bjork as an influence really cites LFO.

The city also housed one of the greatest dance clubs known to Britain - Gatecrasher. Over time it became the place to go in the North if electronic dance music was your bag. The venue was cremated in 2007 following a fire leaving a void in Sheffield’s world-famous nightclub scene.

The mid-nineties also saw the Britpop phenomenon sweep the UK. Although by this point the band scene in Sheffield was relatively poor compared to eight years previous, Sheffield still produced some fine bands. The biggest commercial success of this era was Pulp, fronted by local peculiar Jarvis Cocker. Although they formed in 1978, the band only started to make waves after the success of their 1994 album His ‘n’ Hers and then Different Class in 1996. Other notable contributions from Sheffield at the time were The Longpigs and Babybird.

The NoughtiesThe city once more became alive and for a period there was a true scene again with musicians pulling in the same direction and supporting each other’s success. The massive rise of Arctic Monkeys showed a new marketing direction in the use of the Internet and for the first time record company’s ideals had been threatened.

The Boardwalk was home to a musical revolution as bands like Reverend and the Makers, Arctic Monkeys, Millburn, The Long Blondes, Little Man Tate and Richard Hawley (to name a few) became a part of the next successful generation of Sheffield-grown musicians.

The music charts were again saturated with music coming out of the city as Sheffield gave a fresh reminder of the talent which hums inside its evergreen walls.

MIS.

Five Seminal 80s Albums

Human LeagueTheir early material was experimental and industrial before becoming a pop sensation and achieving massive success with synth-pop album Dare, which contained their biggest hit single, Don’t You Want Me.

Heaven 17 Formed by ex-members of Human League, the synth-pop band initially had limited success. However their second album, The Luxury Gap, contained their biggest single Temptation, which reached number two in the UK charts.

ABCABC became a leading force in the ‘80s new-romantic era following the success of their debut album, The Lexicon of Love. It spawned three top ten hits and set them up as another of Sheffield’s leading pop acts.

Cabaret VoltaireTheir experimentation of sounds lead them to create a whole new genre. One-off gigs in toilets and other unconventional places were not uncommon. Without Cabaret Voltaire, Sheffield’s music scene would not have been the same.

ChakkChakk were at the heart of industrial funk, combining tape loops and synthesizers with conventional instruments and bass grooves. The hums of the city and the drop of the forge were sampled to become core sounds in this new genre.

Music Made in Sheffield Timeline

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 7

Page 8: Made in Sheffield Magazine

8 Made in Sheffield September/October 20108 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

DRIFTRUN

Every day you come across a local band where it’s evident that they want to make it and Driftrun are no exception.

Their passion for music is clear in their live shows, along with hefty determination to succeed. Their electro-rock appeal also gives them a point of difference; it’s angry, bolshy and downright exciting.

Having been together as a band for three years, lead singer Gilly explains, “we’ve gone through various changes in style and even band name! But we have found our direction and are happy the way things are going.”

Driftrun produce synthesised electronic rock, or in Gilly’s turn of phrase stomping big sound music that’s dancey. However their influences aren’t just within this genre, “We are four different people and each have our own influences that fuse to our sound. We love bands with big sounds like Led Zepplin, Kasabian, U2, Pink Floyd.”

Having lived through the highs and lows of Sheffield’s somewhat turbulent music scene, Gilly explains that Driftrun isn’t conformist to the stereotypical Sheffield sound. “We feel we’ve got to do what we want to do, not what other people expect to hear. Finding that fine line of success is hard but achievable.”

“We want to make music that people enjoy, love watching and understand, as well as earn a living from doing what we love best. Our dream would be to play at Sheffield Arena in front of 5000 people and to play the biggest festivals!”

And we very much believe that they’ll succeed in their ambitions, most likely sooner rather than later.

www.myspace.com/driftrunband

STANDARD FARE

Having not only played on home turf but Texas for the South By South West Festival earlier this year, Emma Kupa, vocals and bassist of this promising local band, sings the praises of Sheffield’s prosperous music scene,

“I think the scene is really exciting at present. There’s always good music being recorded at 2Fly Studios. I think its really communal, which is always good.”

The band’s new single Philadelphia was released in July, followed by début album Noyelle Beat which received critical acclamation from publications including The Sunday Times.

However, every band needs a helping hand and Emma explains how, “The Grapes let us play early on as a band and they gave us opportunities, [So] as a venue it’s a big favourite of ours.”

With regards to their individual input onto the city’s scene, Standard Fare believes that every band in Sheffield is different “As a band we all live in different places, so we can draw our influences from a diverse area. We’ve got a lot of experience gigging and touring and we love what we do.”

www.myspace.com/standardfare

Music Made in Sheffield New Bands

DISCO 2010

Page 9: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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THE SALVO

Four-piece Indie band The Salvo originally started out as a three-piece, with brothers Jack and James Rodgers (guitar and bass respectively) as well as James’ friend from university, Matt Bate (drums). In February 2009 final band member Luke Baker (vocals) came along to a practice and they hit it off immediately. In James’ own words, “it just worked.”

The Salvo cite the Libertines and Strokes as direct influences, as the music they all wanted to play was a low fi, raw, guitar-driven sound and falls pretty much into this genre.

“Sheffield’s a great place to be a band,” James explains. “For us, SOYO and the Frog and Parrot have it sorted with great, free and live music.”

This dedication to live music within Sheffield has definitely make the band take themselves more seriously, in James’ opinion. “The standard of bands is consistently high, which has made us step up our live show. Seeing a room full of people going mad for the tunes is a hard one to beat.”

However, as much as the band love doing what they do, ultimately they want what every band wants - to make a living from their passion.

Having played a sold out show at the Leadmill (albeit it as support for Twisted Wheel, although they did headline at the Leadmill in August) it would seem they’re well on their way to achieving this dream, as well as their other dream of supporting The Cribs.

But just what makes them different from every other four-piece Indie band? Well, according to James it’s because they have Rod Stewart on drums. That and talent.

www.myspace.com/thesalvomusic

IAN BRITT

It came as a breath of fresh air when soulful solo artist Ian Britt appeared on the music radar, shining a whole new light onto the steel city’s music culture.

Brought up with music from a very early age, Ian goes on to say, “my dad had some serious LPs and harboured a huge love for music, plus my childhood best mate’s father ran the record shop Rare and Racy in town, so I was blessed to be surrounded with all these awesome records from the 60s and 70s. I drank my fill and was hooked.”

With regards to Ian’s sounds, he explains, “It’s guitar and voice based and my output is melodic, harmonious and rhythmic, with insightful and honest lyrics.”

Ian’s new album Box, due for release in early August is a culmination of melancholy melodies combined with his superb talent as a lyricist, creating the perfect summer listen.

Stepping up the tempo from his first two albums, Ian reveals his secret to standing-out-from-the-crowd, “As far as being different from the rest of the Sheffield acts at the moment, the thing that makes me stand apart is that I’m not in a band.”

Rich with talents such as Human League, Reverend & The Makers, Arctic Monkeys, Richard Hawley and Pulp (to name a few), Ian believes, “Sheffield’s music scene has some kind of magical womb for producing music. you only have to look at our track record too see we’ve knocked out some amazing stuff and for a long time. I’m very excited to and also tested by being a part of the vibrant breeding grounds in Sheffield’s current scene.”

www.myspace.com/ianbritt

Music Made in Sheffield New Bands

DISCO 2010 Annie Darling and Kt Evans meet four up-and-coming local bands hoping to follow in the footsteps of their Sheffield idols into fame and fortune...

Page 10: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Page 11: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Music Made in Sheffield Goldenscan

GOLDEN

L ocal trance fiends Ed Goring and Mark McCormick have been knocking out “tunes” for the best part of twenty years. Their first single, Sunrise, was a commercial hit and they haven't

looked back since … apart from their recent five-year hiatus. Having set up a number of businesses over the past few years

the boys feel ready to make a comeback to music, but why now?“Music has always been my first love,” says Ed. “I only went

to do business stuff so I could afford to sit in the studio and not have to worry about paying bills.”

For all of Goldenscan’s commercial success, there was little money left over once the labels had taken their share and this is a recurring theme in the music industry.

Ed had his music signed to major labels Virgin and Island during his career but he certainly won’t be going back down that route this time as he points out, “They [The labels] have a brilliant habit of giving you money, not telling why they’re giving it you and spending more money.”

Ed remembers a meeting with a major label accountant following a single that had made the top 20 in the UK and 16 other countries. There had been a great amount of airplay and the video had been on a most-played loop.

“We sat down with the accountant and we were thinking we would get a pay day,” He continues, “they said to us ‘How do we get around the money you owe us. At the minute it stands at £220,000’…”

“On the other side there is creative control.” he adds. “One A&R guy liked that we were a bit quirky and he said, ‘we want you to be the Monty Python of dance music’. That's when we left the label.”

Ed says they have since decided to stop trying to get major labels involved because it makes sense to stick with people who understand their music.

He is also quick to acknowledge that times have changed in the two decades since they began making music, with the internet being a fresh, primary source. No longer do artists have to go through the pre-formulated channels they used to use.

“Now you've got kids at home with a PC and a bit of cracked software and they’re producing stuff that's release quality. “Because there's no money in single sales any more it means that people who are writing dance music, they are doing it because they love it.”

He adds a final note: “In our genre there's now a lot of mind-blowing material. Music is in a good state.” MIS.

After nearly five years in the wilderness, local producers Goldenscan have catapulted themselves back into action. Ed Goring talks to Loic Tuckey about their comeback, the state of the record industry and explains why they won't be going back to major labels.

Page 12: Made in Sheffield Magazine

12 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

F ormer Cabaret Voltaire percussionist, Dave Palfreeman, describes the city in the ‘80s as a hub of creativity, full of bands, venues and musicians.

“It was buzzin’. You’d be going out to three or four clubs a night, there were always musicians and people you knew. It was just a great scene. I thought it was like this all over the country but in actual fact it wasn’t.”

It’s now 2010 and a world apart from Sheffield of old. Venues are closing faster than they are opening and while there is music in the city, it’s less a scene than pockets of inspiration, and communication between these pockets is sparse.

The Stockroom is the latest music venue to close in recent times. It was home to acoustic nights, club nights, DJs and bands, and was a place where any kind of music was actively encouraged.

Ben Hunter, of local band Wooderson says, ”It was one of the only venues in Sheffield that completely understood the importance of new music and encouraged it. They weren’t arsed about a pay cheque, they just wanted everyone to hear a bit of music and create a vibe.”

Stockroom manager, Matt Gladstone says the closure will deprive Sheffield of its ‘realist venue’ as they were one of the few places to oppose mainstream musical ethics.

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Music Made in Sheffield Decline

“People expect all bands from Sheffield to sound like the Arctic Monkeys. We had a place where you could get away from that mentality. The mainstream is boring and money is boring.”

The mid noughties saw a revival of bands in the city as Arctic Monkeys, Reverend and the Makers, Milburn and Little Man Tate all made it.

Jon McClure, front man of Reverend and the Makers, believes it was a time where people were united again.

He says,”Five years ago there was a sense of unity and purpose and it was all locked in together. It’s no coincidence that about ten bands came out of Sheffield and made it.”

Although things are different now it’s still possible to hear live music every night of the week. Venues like the Harley and the Red House continue to bring bands and DJs to the city, and showcase local talent.

Sheffield is also home to the free party with raves and DJs setting up shop all over the city throughout the summer months. And the biggest free party of all was held in July when Tramlines festival was attended by nearly 70,000 people.

But For Dave Palfreeman Sheffield’s legendary scene died in 1992. “I thought I was just getting old,” he says, “but obviously it’s not just me.”

MIS.

1981. The Sheffield music scene is thriving. It seems everyone has a new synthesizer and a new idea. In a reaction to punk, electro has established itself as a true alternative and Sheffield is at the forefront of the revolution. Loic Tuckey find out how a city of pioneers showed Britain the shape of music to come.

No one cares, no one sympathises, they just stay home and play synthesisers

Page 13: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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P reviously known as the Black Swan, The Boardwalk has been on the circuit for touring bands for years and a who’s who of rock stars started out at this renowned venue: Status Quo,

AC/DC, T.Rex, Joe Cocker, The Sex Pistols, David Gray, The Clash (their first gig) and more recently Arctic Monkeys.

Terry Steeples ran the venue from from the 1960’s but in the 1990s it was taken over by a small group of local businessmen. It became clear as audience numbers dropped that things weren’t working out the way they had hoped, but that soon changed.

Independent music promoter Chris Wilson explains, “I’d been putting on shows at different venues for some years, but I’d never tried anything at The Boardwalk, so one day I called in to have a chat about putting on a few gigs just to test the water. I’m fortunate to have some very good friends in the music business including Wilko Johnson, John Otway, Wild Willy Barrett and Half Man Half Biscuit. Wilko hadn’t played Sheffield for 15 years, HMHB hadn’t played here for nearly 10 years and Otway had never done a gig in the city with The Big Band so it didn’t need a genius to work out the shows would be successful.

“So, I called them up got their availables and booked the dates with the club. I think Otway and The Big Band was the first show I did there, followed a few weeks later by Wilko and finally Half Man Half Biscuit, they all sold out. I hadn’t planned to do anymore shows there in the immediate future

after those three because I was busy with gigs elsewhere but one day I had a call asking me to call into the venue for a chat and the rest is history. Many people thought I’d bought the place, I hadn’t, I just took over the music side of the business, I didn’t want any involvement with the bar side of things.”

Once described by the press as “a maverick venue with an adventurous booking policy”, The Boardwalk is an anything goes place where you can see locals and legends and listen to anything from solo folk artists through to 10-piece Slovakian industrial bands, but don’t expect to find DJs or club nights here, it’s a live music venue and very proud to be so.

With such history and atmosphere it was no surprise that Robert Plant (of Led Zeppelin) chose the Boardwalk for a secret gig here.It was also one of the preferred venues when the BBC did a week of outside broadcasts for their Music In The City series; an amazing line-up including The Pretenders, Gary Barlow, Mike Harding and Jools Holland with his orchestra.

Major changes that will surprise many are planned for later this year and early in 2011 but one thing’ss for sure: the venue plans to be part of the local, national and international music scene for many, many more years to come.

MIS.

A friendly, 400-capacity venue, tucked into the bottom corner of the city centre on Snig Hill, with an incredible history for hosting live music going back over fifty years and boasting a band roster with a few famous names you might just recognise, this is...

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Find out more about the boardwalk by visiting

their website: www.theboardwalklive.co.uk

Music Made in Sheffield History

Page 14: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Page 15: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 15

U pon entering Cubana I was initially lifted by the vibrant atmosphere and spark in the room. All the dining tables were bubbling with the sound of chatter with various groups of friends

enjoying their meals. There is certainly not a particular crowd that dines at Cubana as the room was shared by couples and groups with a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds.

Arriving at our table I noticed the strong South American influence in the decor with terracotta tiles and wooden furniture adding to the atmosphere. Watch out for the second table from the entrance - it wobbles, but if you sip enough tequila I’m sure you won’t notice. The lighting was dim to aid the mood and with Latino tracks filling the air I found my foot tapping to the beat.

The staff who attended our table were full of smiles and enthusiasm which came across as very genuine. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable with regards to the menu and rattled off the various drinks on offer with ease.

I had to call in support for the beverage selection as there was a meaty selection of South American lagers and beers of which I was unfamiliar. With a quick consultation from the waiter I was aware of the origin of each beer, strength and the probable taste. I can definitely recommend the Argentinian beer, Quilmes which had a light and refreshing taste.

While awaiting our meal we were treated to a live performance by a five piece band called San Parana, who were closely followed by a solo guitarist called Juan Corodvilla who really stole the show. It was a new experience being serenaded prior to eating but a welcome change as the bar staff danced, heads nodded and toes tapped to the beat.

The food arrived promptly and with our party sharing five dishes it amounted to a handsome portion for two.

Each dish was wildly different to the next but formed a coalition of taste. Our dishes consisted of meat balls which were fresh and juicy with a thick tomato based sauce, Chicken and Chorizo which was very tender and not overpowering. Potatas a lo pobre (the fittest spuds I have ever had!).

Mariscos con vino blanco was our only sea food selection and it was tasty, fresh and simply delicious. To get my five a day the cheeky ensalada mixta filled the void with a tidy salad mix of olives, cucumber, and lettuce with a light top dressing to cleanse the pallet.

Tapas comes from the word for lids or covers, I would most definitely say Cubana has taken the lid off a great night out.

MIS.

Food Made in Sheffield Cubana

Find out more about the Cubana by visiting their

website: www.cubanatapasbar.co.uk

Nestled between two unassuming buildings at the end of Trippet Lane, Sheffield’s only taste of Cuba might now be lacking the authentic cigar-smoke, but the atmosphere is still thick with Latin heat. Made in Sheffield’s Editor, Jen Walshaw, took it upon herself to sample the delights of Castro’s island.

Lifting the lid on a great night out

Page 16: Made in Sheffield Magazine

OF G

RE

AT D

RIN

K

0114 272 [email protected]

For more information and reservations:

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Sheffield S10 2HS

K-Pasa.indd 1 26/08/2010 13:42:21

Page 17: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 17

as a teacher that I realised I wanted to be my own boss and focus on photography. I’d attended photography classes at night school, spent all my spare time taking photographs and I realised I wanted to take it from part time hobby to full time career. It was a really obvious step so I decided I just had to go for it! I absolutely love running my own photography business. It was nerve wracking and a big decision, but it’s been worth it."

After seven months researching and planning her business venture, Katy left teaching in December 2007 to launch Serendipity Photography in January 2008. Continued »

W omen are swapping family life, 9-to-5 careers and other societal ‘norms’ in order to set up on their own in business. There are now one million

Femtrepreneurs who have sparked off new ideas and become their own boss, one of whom is former teacher Katy Thomson.

Katy has swapped the chalkboard for a career behind the camera in order to pursue her passion in photography.

It took Katy nine years to say goodbye to a successful teaching career down south and make the move up north to pursue her dream in Sheffield. It was a new start a new business and a very brave step for an organized former teacher.

Speaking about becoming her own boss, Katy says, "It wasn’t until I was encouraged to think about my career progression

GO AHEAD. YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO. TRASH IT. GET IT DIRTY. GET IT WET. ROLL AROUND IN THE MUD. DRENCH IT IN THE OCEAN. TOTALLY TRASH IT. WHY? … WHY NOT!”

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 17

Trends Made in Sheffield Rock The Dress

Rock The Dress is the latest trend in Wedding Photography - the chance to get the shots you were always too afraid to try on the day - and Sheffield-based, Strawberry Photographer Katy Thomson is leading the pack. By Sophie Mei.

Page 18: Made in Sheffield Magazine

18 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Trends Made in Sheffield Rock The Dress

« Serendipity Photography provides photography services for weddings and events and a children’s portraiture service Shutterbugs, which captures precious moments from “Bump to 1st Year” … and beyond.

"The portraiture side of my business has proved really popular and is a big focus for me at the moment. I believe I offer something unique, it’s not just about a static moment or picture but a series of experiences over time framed for friends and family to enjoy and display in the home."

Katy is never one to miss out on a new trend and opportunity and is now offering “Rock The Dress” - a trend that has swept the USA and is now growing in popularity here in the UK. How many new brides would jump at the chance to get into their wedding dress again? “Rock the Dress”, “Rock the Frock”, “Trash the Dress”; whatever you want to call it gives brides a second chance to dazzle in their wedding dress in a fashion styled location photo shoot.

Here are the words from the New York Times’ wedding blog which started the trend: Go ahead, you know you want to. Trash it. Get it dirty. Get it wet. Roll around in the mud. Drench it in the ocean. Totally trash it. Why? … Why not? You’ve made a commitment to your husband. He’s your one and only true love, right? Then you’ll never need the dress again. And no, your daughter won’t wear it in 20 or 30 years time. So you have two choices 1) Suffocate it in plastic and throw it in a closet or 2) Show your husband how committed you are by trashing the dress, and get some great fun pictures while you do it!

It’s a chance to take some time to be creative and combine fashion with fun and adventure. You can either go totally mad and trash the dress or simply rock it and do something more unusual with the shots.”

After the full explanation Katy then enthuses, “I love doing location shoots so to combine the amazing locations around Sheffield with the chance to photograph someone in their wedding dress again is the perfect job for me. I have worked with Vicky from Passion Beauty Studios to do the makeup for the bride and then when they feel pampered and beautiful we take them out to create some stunning shots that they, and their husbands, treasure.”

Perhaps a new trend to sweep the UK? One thing that is for sure, Katy is her business and Serendipity Photography is Katy - a lady who thrives through social media sites, networking, seizing opportunities and most of all comfortable in her approach in capturing that perfect moment. MIS.

Find out more about Katy’s photography at her website:

www.serendipityphotography.co.uk

Page 19: Made in Sheffield Magazine

Only professional treatment with your dentist will get your teeth their whitest.

Tooth whitening is a long established aesthetic treatment. Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth and improving their colour through a bleaching process to make them look “whiter”.

Impressions are first taken of the teeth. From these moulds the laboratory can construct custom-made whitening trays specific for each individual. An appropriate whitening agent is then placed inside the trays which are then worn over the teeth for a period of time. The type and concentration of whitening agent, the original colour of the teeth, and the desired end result all determine how long the trays are worn. Typically, the trays are worn overnight for a period of 14 days although this varies considerably.

If you have sensitive teeth we can prescribe a lower concentration gel, so eventhose of you with sensitive teeth can achieve good results.

There are a few cases where whitening is not appropriate. Your dentist can advise you at your initial FREE consultation.

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Page 20: Made in Sheffield Magazine

20 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Success Made in Sheffield Eliot Kennedy

S on of a cabaret singer, Eliot has music in his blood. As a child his weekends were spent in dressing rooms as his dad performed in working mens’ clubs. There he would listen

as the music his dad sung to began to shape his future. He began to understand the principles of song-writing and the relationship between melody and chords.

“You learn how to play them and all of a sudden you’re able to dip into classic song-writing,” says Eliot.

“You’ve got to be good to survive in that business. They [the audience] are heartbreakingly tough. They don’t care whether you’re good or not, they just don’t clap. You’re just an annoyance between bingo. It’s a real education and a real fast track to getting your head around music.”

Since then Eliot has always been around music and started writing songs when he was nine. He taught himself keyboard, learned guitar in Spain and performed in bands as a teenager where he became what he describes as the guy that wasn’t there.

“I’d be a bass player if that was what was missing in a band, a drummer in another. I became a jack-of-all, master-of-sod-all. It gives you an appreciation of the different things that different instruments can do and at that age it was crucial to me.”

Years later he is a renowned song writer and producer, he owns Steel Works Studios, on Brown Street in Sheffield and has received international acclaim.

Like all success stories there needs to be a big break and Eliots came following a period of writing songs with Sheffield song-writers Mike Ward and Cary Baylis. In 1993 he produced Lulu’s comeback single, Independence, which made the top-ten and caught the attention of Take That.

He received a phone call from a young Gary Barlow, asking if he’d like to help write a record for Take That. He accepted the offer and together they wrote Everything Changes - the title track from the album.

Eliot had an ambition to have a number one single by the time he was 25, and fate seemed to secure his wish. On his 25 birthday the song went to number one in the UK and cemented his name as a song-writer in the eyes of the industry.

“All of a sudden I had a number one with the biggest boy band in the world. That became like a business card and led to other work.”

Eliot built a studio at his home in Sheffield and started working with other artists. There he produced 911’s debut record and had nine consecutive hit singles. Following that, five young ladies collectively known as the Spice Girls moved into his house where they wrote their debut record together.

“I had five sisters living at my home. It was craziness.”Twenty-years on it is fair to say Eliot has had his fair share

of hits. He’s written number one singles, number one albums and has a smorgasbord of top 20 hits around the world. He has worked with artist such as, Celine Dion, S Club 7, Bryan Adams, Blue and Donny Osmond, to name just a modest few.

So the big question is how do you write a hit single?“I always start with a chorus because if the chorus doesn’t

blow my hair back nothing else in that song is going to. Unless I’m hooked straight away then I don’t even bother finishing it,” he said.

He is always prepared for a moment of divine inspiration or a killer lyric. Often it appears to him in bed, while driving or walking down the street.

“My hands are limited by my ability, my imagination isn’t. I tend to hear melodies and chords but it’s whether I can play them or not.

“I’ve usually got a pretty sound idea of what the song is before I even I touch the instrument. I just hum it on my phone or whatever,” he added.

For all Eliot’s success he still remains modest and grounded. He doesn’t consider himself any better than the bloke writing a

Eliot Kennedy is a Sheffield-based song writer and producer. If you have owned a radio in the past 20-years you will have heard his work. He has worked with the world’s biggest artists, written number one singles and won a Grammy. In this exclusive interview he speaks to Loic Tuckey about his career, charity work, and explains the secret to writing a hit single.

Hit-machine.

Page 21: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 21

Success Made in Sheffield Eliot Kennedy

song next door. He simply believes if he likes what he’s written there’s a good chance other people will too.

The music industry is an arrogant place to reside and it’s never been cool to like bands like Blue or Take That. He says at times people have looked down their noses at his work, but walking down the hallway of his studios the wall is full of gold discs, awards and a lifetime of achievements. He has a Grammy and an Ivor Novello award and contributed to films. There’s no question he’s a pretty cool guy.

He’s made a career from writing songs and making records. He’s played a part in some incredible careers and written songs that define others. His melodies and words constitute millions of peoples memories and have brought happiness to an uncountable majority.

“What’s the point in being snobbish?” he said. “When you look at a career as a catalogue of music I’m very proud of what I’ve done, whether it be Spice Girls to Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin or Boyzone. I actually don’t have any preference because it’s just about music.”

Eliot also believes the songs he’s had to put his heart and soul into are the most rewarding. He sites Celine Dion’s Lets Talk About Love and Aretha Franklin’s Never Gonna Break My Faith as the best lyrics he’s ever penned.

”I’ve always had this philosophy - the song I came to write is still unwritten. Yet when we won a Grammy for Never Gonna Break My Faith it was my most revealing song as a Christian. It was me putting my badge on and saying check this out.

“For it to be sung by the best singer that has ever lived and for that performance to win a Grammy, at that point I thought

this is the song I came to write. That’s the one I want to be played at my funeral.

From then on something changed for Eliot. He decided he could do more with his status and he was no longer content judging his success by the number of hit records he made.

Last year he set up a charity called the One Song Foundation with the principle of changing the world one song at a time by using songs everyone knows. Musicians give Eliot the rights to a song and the money they receive is put into projects to help make the world a better place.

“It’s not just donating to a charity. It’s getting something brilliant because you’re buying a record,” he said.

Furthermore Eliot intends to do something he admits he never imagined he would do. In a bid to raise awareness and reduce homelessness, he is going to make himself homeless for a week.

“There’s a lot of change going on but were not fundamentally working out the biggest problem,” said Eliot. I want to be a part of this change.”

So after a whirlwind career of writing songs, producing bands and developing artists, what has the past 20 years taught Sheffield’s most productive musical export?

“You realise that there’s an unbelievable unknown power to music. I call it the ultimate backstage pass. It gets to everybody’s soul. No other medium does that and I have a real appreciation for it as a result of being involved in it. You’re not just doing something to satisfy yourself. Its unquantifiable and I never lose appreciation for it or take it for granted.”

MIS.

Eliot Kennedy in his Sheffield-based studio.

Page 22: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Page 23: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 23

Creating Great Customer Experiences?

As Easy As

ABCTo learn a new language you have to work at it. To create consistently great customer experiences you have to work at that too! Says Andy Hanselman.

Business advice Made in Sheffield Andy Hanselman

Those that work on it and practise consistently are the ones that become ‘fluent’ in it. The basic foundation of any language is its alphabet, and it’s the ability to combine the right letters in that alphabet that helps people to ‘master’ the language. So I thought I’d try and develop an alphabet for customer service! You can also find out more on my blog: www.andyhanselman.com

A BC DE FG HI JK LM NO PQ RS TU VW XY Z

Are you completely happy? Yes or No? A great question to ask your customers

Delight your customers.Strive to exceed their expectations

Thank you - say it to your customers (and your people)

Empower your people - give them permission, encouragement & training to deliver a great service

Memorable stuff is what gets customers talking. Be memorable! (In a good way please!)

Queues - Stand in your own. What’s it like to be a customer of your business?

High expectations - your job is to keep raising your customers’ expectations and then strive to exceed them. It’s never ending (Hey, I never said this was easy!)

Listen to your customers... this is a follow on to Keeping in Touch. Do it properly please - no lip service and please pass on what you hear to others in the business

Planned spontaneity - build ‘surprises’ into your processes to make your customers feel good (Again, It’s ‘good’ surprises only please!)

(e)Xterminate scriptease - when it’s easier to follow the script than to engage and interact with customers

Zappos - see how they do it, and learn from them (www.zapposinsights.com)

Incentivise your people - what’s the reward in your business for ‘going the extra mile’? In too many businesses, the reward is more work!

Get personal - make sure that customers recognise you care by tailoring things specifically to them

Just ring up a customer and ask how are things?

Valued - make your customers feel valued -go out of your way to demonstrate you care

Never underestimate the power of a simple smile or acknowledgement

Keep in touch - but make it two- way. Think Dialogue, not Diatribes!

Old fashioned ways can work - write personal notes to your customers and your staff (I emphasise write, not type)

Sales Prevention Officers - the things, systems, processes and people that irritate or annoy your customers - identify and eliminate them!

Understand why your customers choose you and buy from you. If you don’t know, ask them!

You are a role model - It’s not what you say, it’s what you do that counts! What do your people see you doing (or not doing)?

Wow reactions - that’s what you’re aiming for. What do you do to wow your customers?

Ring up your own business too, and while you’re at it, go on your own website, visit your own depot and sit in your own reception - what sort of experience do your customers get?

Be prepared to do something as a result of their response

Find your customers’ problems and solve them

Champion your champions - recognise and reward those who deliver great service in your business (and while you’re at it, ‘Challenge your Challengers’ - those that don’t!)

Page 24: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Chris Advert.indd 1 07/09/2010 13:26:44

Page 25: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 25

Claire Young

Our very own business

expert first appeared in the

fourth series of BBC One’s

The Apprentice.

Business advice Made in Sheffield Accountancy

During The Apprentice, Sir Alan gave me a number of nicknames: Big Gob, Motormouth, The Voice of the Blackwall Tunnel - all for my tendency never to shut up! Saying that, he did compliment me on my presentation skills and said I was one of the best presenters he’d seen.

It doesn’t matter who you are or how many times you’ve spoken you always get nervous! It’s completely normal. I actually think it’s a good thing as it keeps you on your toes and makes sure you don’t become complacent. As a speaker you know your audience is willing for you to do well - we’ve all probably been in the position where you’re sat rigid with boredom, numb-bum and desperate for someone to get off stage - not a good situation!

I think the key to a good speaker is preparation. It’s the ground work, fact finding and constant practising that gives you the confidence to blow people away. At my school we were constantly asked to present and there were rules - no use of notes, stand straight, have good eye contact and most of all enjoy it. It’s always clear when a speaker wants to be there and is passionate about their subject matter.

I worked for L’Oreal after leaving university and as a marketing driven company presentations had to be perfect. I attended countless training courses, was filmed (a brilliant exercise as it really does highlight what you need to change) and realised what an impact a well planned, rehearsed pitch could have on my audience.

CLAIRE’S TOP PRESENTATION TIPS

Think of your audience: are you talking at the right level? Make sure you have a beginning, middle and end to your presentation - you’re taking the audience through a story; Don’t waffle and give them details they don’t need; Look groomed and don’t fiddle; Keep 360° eye contact with your audience; Practise, practise, practise - to anyone, even in the mirror! Make sure your opening is strong, the audience will stick with you.

Mike Bramall

In his own words, Mike

provides proactive business

support as well as “all the

normal accountant stuff.”

Business advice Made in Sheffield Claire Young

Inheritance tax is a concern for many business owners. Qualifying business assets are subject to business property relief but once a person has sold his or her business interests that relief of course no longer applies.

Many will consider some element of lifetime giving as a means of reducing the eventual tax burden on the family, but unless the gifts are covered by exemptions, they will be included in the estate if death occurs within seven years.

The most commonly known and understood exempt gifts are the annual exempt amount of £3,000, the small gifts exemptions of £250 per person and gifts on the occasion of marriage.

If anyone regularly has income in excess of outgoings, anything up to 100% of the excess, no matter how large that sum may be, could be gifted with total exemption from Inheritance Tax.

To utilise the relief, it is necessary to establish a regular pattern of gifting. The amounts of the gifts do not have to be the same each year; neither do gifts have to be made to the same person every time.

If taking advantage of this exemption it is very important to keep appropriate records of gifts made so that when the time comes the executors can claim the exemption in calculating any Inheritance Tax due.

You can also find out more about inheritance tax on the HM Revenue & Customs website including useful calculators and all the relevant forms and paperwork:

www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetaxThere is also a Probate and inheritance tax helpline

available between 9 - 5 Monday to Friday: 0845 302 0900For a free template of the records required to claim this

very valuable relief contact my practice on 0114 2630830 or email [email protected]

Mike is Director of Mike Bramall & Co. Limited

Tel: 0114 263 0830 / Email [email protected]

Page 26: Made in Sheffield Magazine

26 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

S heffield photographer Tom Anthony suffers from a condition where his jaw is permanently open and his mouth often bleeds. Although he has undergone surgery several times his speech

remains difficult to understand.“I think at events it puts people off talking to me, but that's

life and I have had to live with that,” says Tom. “I try to interact with people as much as I can.”

Tom, 23, decided to become his own boss in order to prioritise his health while combining his love of photography with the great outdoors.

“I become ill quite often and it just made perfect sense starting up on my own. This means that I can put my health first which is most important to me.”

The self-employed photographer specialises in capturing fine art, landscape and flower photographs to sell through his website and at art events.

He also photographs weddings, private functions, PR events and helps businesses promote themselves with captivating images.

Toms admits his confidence has been affected by his speech problems and is aware his condition will never improve. Although he finds it difficult to communicate with new people he believes his self-esteem is improving through his work.

“I really enjoy the feedback people give me from my work When I tell people that I have taken these photos you can see it in their faces that they weren't expecting it and its nice to show people that even with problems such as mine you can still achieve great things.”

Tom’s interest in photography began when he was ten; his aunt gave him a £20 voucher following surgery and he bought an Olympus film camera.

“Throughout my recovery I was constantly taking photos which was a great help in taking my mind off the surgery and recovery”

Tom and his camera have been inseparable ever since. After completing his A-levels he earned himself a first-class honours degree in photography. Now through running his business he has acquired new confidence and determination to succeed.

“To begin with it was daunting but I'm the sort of person that - even with my problems - I will not let it get in the way of my goals.”

He added: “I have to try that much harder to get noticed which is why I put so much work into creating great images so hopefully the images will speak for themselves.”

Success Made in Sheffield Tom Anthony

Living and working with a disability is never easy but more people today are being afforded the opportunity to work for themselves. Loic Tuckey talks to photographer Tom Anthony.

You can see more of Tom’s photography on his

website: www.tomanthonyphotography.co.uk

Page 27: Made in Sheffield Magazine
Page 28: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Carwood Commodities Limited offer a collection service for all unwanted metallic goods Absolutely the best prices paid, so if you need a collection call Steve on 07833 232 006 or the office on 0114 233 1011. We also have a few self storage containers available for hire at our yard at Malin Bridge.

Mark Talbots is a family run business and has been established since the 1940s. Their aim is to provide high quality produce at competitive prices and where possible will always strive to source produce locally. As well as the shop on Hillsborough’s Middlewood Road, they also provide an excellent delivery service direct to your door.

JJ Autos is a long established Sheffield company with a warm and friendly welcome. Be it a sleek Mercedes or a clapped out mini they’ve got you covered - as the advert says: Any make, any model - we do it! Reliable, competitively priced and trust-worthy, you’ll find that JJ Autos cover all aspects of automobile repairs for all types of automobiles.

Craftastic has been in Hillsborough for over 4 years and the shop moved into larger premises in the area in April of this year. They have a wide variety of craft materials available and run many craft classes each week, including card making, scrapbooking and fimo modeling. You can contact the shop on 0114 231 6047 for a list of classes and their newsletter.

28 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Business Focus Made in Sheffield S6

Page 29: Made in Sheffield Magazine

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Domestic & Commercial Flooring WarehouseS6 0114 2855008 S2 0114 258 4660

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Why not drop in to Angelia’s and pamper yourself with a wide range of treatments including: manicures, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, spray tans, microdermabrasion and the Flabe’ los exercise machine. The salon also hosts training facilities so if this is a career path you want to take give Angelia a call. Go on, treat yourself - you deserve it.

Established for over eighteen years, Maxim is Hillsborough’s premier hair salon. Their stylists have a wealth of experience and are experts in Wella Colour and hair care. Located in Hillsborough Barracks, Maxim has just the warm and friendly atmosphere in which to create your perfect hair style.

The Lizard Lounge provides you with both the rare and exotic. If you are looking for a far from ordinary pet then this is the place to go. The lizard Lounge is the only place to go for exotic pets ranging from snakes to turtles. The owners are extremely passionate about their animals and are experts in their field - more than willing to advise on the proper care for your new (or existing) pet.

Superb Flooring is a friendly, reliable competitive flooring supplier. Due to their success delivering excellent service they have now opened a second shop in the S2 area. The choice available is vast and they are always on hand to give reliable and accurate advice. They have everything you need, from carpet to laminate and much more.

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 29

Business Focus Made in Sheffield S6

Page 30: Made in Sheffield Magazine

KITCHEN & BEDROOM CREATIONBESPOKE KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS

18 - 22 Albert Street, Harrogate, HG1 1JT

01423 568900

Q U A L I T Y W I T H O U T T H E C O S T

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KITCHEN & BEDROOM CREATIONBESPOKE KITCHENS AND BEDROOMS

18 - 22 Albert Street, Harrogate, HG1 1JT

01423 568900

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FREE PLANNING & DESIGN SERVICE

0114 276 762613a - 17a London Road, Sheffield S2 4LA (ample parking at rear)

www.kitchencreation.co.uk

Page 31: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 31

T he abolition of home information packs and the announcement

of the emergency budget has led to an increase of property on the market. But without the necessary upturn in buyers to match, the balance of supply to demand has been upset.

This situation has made the business of selling your home a more competitive one.

Properties are taking longer to gain interest and vendors are being forced into accepting lower offers than expected.

If you're in the process of selling your home it’s imperative you take measures to guarantee your property stands out.

A little extra effort can go a long way and the simple steps outlined here can help to attract that increasingly elusive buyer.

Happy selling!

Marketing.

Price.

Presentation.

Most importantly.

A competitively priced property is essential in getting viewers through the door. Testing the market with unrealistic asking prices can be counter productive and lead to your property to becoming stale. Remember a property is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it.

What can I do?Assess your competition. Take a look at other properties on the market in your area and compare prices against your own. If your property is comparatively highly priced ask yourself why. Are you being unrealistic with your asking price?

A clean home is a saleable home. When conducting viewings on your home ensure it is tidy for viewings. Put unsightly items like cleaning products into cupboards but don’t make your home look too sterile. You’re not just selling bricks and mortar, you’re selling a lifestyle.

What further steps can I take?If you feel redecoration is necessary go for neutral colour schemes but be careful on the amount of money you spend. It’s too easy to get carried away but the amount of money you put in isn’t necessarily going to be reflected in the price you end up selling your house for. Smell can also be a powerful first impression so avoid cooking spicy foods prior to viewings. Make sure pets are out of the way a few hours before your prospective purchasers arrive.

The first impression of your property by purchasers is via the internet or your estate agent‘s brochure.

What can I do?Ask your agent to re-photograph your property during sunny summer days can give your property a fresh look, especially if the original was produced during gloomy winter months.

Keep focused on the fact you're not just selling your home, you're also selling a commodity. Getting your house to appeal to others is paramount and following these simple but effective guidelines can make the world of difference.

Over the past few months the recent recovery of the housing market has slowed down and this means selling your home is likely to prove more difficult. This month Aaron Best offers advice on how to keep ahead of the game in order to help sell your biggest asset.

Property advice Made in Sheffield Aaron Best

Page 32: Made in Sheffield Magazine

32 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Let our Sheffield based web design and search engine optimisation company breathe new life into your business brand. Web Branding combine all of the aspects that will create a resilient & iconic brand identity to give you the best potential for continued success within your business sector.

Successful brands take time, effort to develop, and possess the power to stand the test of time.

The Best Brands in Sheffield 2010 gave us the perfect opportunity to research what makes a good brand. This competition looks at logos, websites, advertising and unique forms of business promotion. As we move into a more technologically advanced world, the online market is more important and this was taken into consideration as a major factor. The List of Potential Brands within this Great city is huge, and it’s not an easy task breaking it down to the best 30. Over the next few pages we have tried to include a good mix of new and old, innovative and traditional.

May the best brand win! »

Sponsored feature Made in Sheffield Best Brands

At Web Branding, designing brand identity is what we do. A brand is much more than

just a logo and a chosen typeface; just as our web marketing team use Search

Engine Optimisation tools to play on Google’s algorithm, our brand designers play on the

brain’s algorithm to make sure your brand is at the forefront of your customers’ mind.

Page 33: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 33

Sponsored feature Made in Sheffield Best Brands

»

30. Yellow Arch Studios

27. Sheffield Digital Campus

24. Charity Unleashed

21. Grin Up North (Comedy Festival)

18. MadeInSheffield.com Ltd

15. Shop Sheffield

29. Silent Sheffield

26. Tramlines Festival

23. Art Sheffield

20. Park Hill Flats Regeneration

17. DavyMarkham Ltd

14. Sheffield is My Planet

28. Recycling Revolution

25. Leopold Square

22. Sheffield Technology Parks

19. Our Cow Molly Ice Cream

16. Yorkshire Artspace

Page 34: Made in Sheffield Magazine

34 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

Sponsored feature Made in Sheffield Best Brands

13. Kelham Island

10. Sheffield Doc/Fest

7. Sheffield 2018 Bif

Runner-up: Sheffield Crucible Theatre

Silver: Spear & Jackson

Bronze: Henry Boot

Gold: Henderson’s Relish

12. Bag it Don’t Bin it

9. Warp Records

6. Creative Sheffield

11. Event Sheffield

8. Bassett’s sweets

5. Sheffield City of Culture

Page 35: Made in Sheffield Magazine
Page 36: Made in Sheffield Magazine

Venue SearchSupplier Search

Full & Partial Co-ordinationOn The Day Co-ordination

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0114 2449 2890751 5697 130

[email protected]

Shape up your mind, body and soul!

Bellydance - a powerful Middle-East art form - is one of the fastest-growing forms of dance in the world today.Learn the drills and frills with international bellydance star Sophie Mei at classes in Sheffield.

Coming soon: Bespoke Bellydance Parties.

Tel: 07810 172 417www.sophie-mei.net/schools

Wednesdays: 18.30 - 19.30 Bar 360 West One £5 / £4

Saturdays: 9.00 - 10.00 Greens Gym, Sheffield £5 / £4

Sundays: 14.00 - 3.00 Millenium Hall, Ecclesall Rd £5 / £4

Plus private lessons, parties and performances! Call now for details.

Sophie advert.indd 1 06/09/2010 10:56:07

Page 37: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 37

It’s like the worst end-of-the-weekend feeling ever when September arrives, the kids are kitted up in their uniforms, SBS Removals have moved all of the new tenants’ furniture in - all ready for a September term at University and work.

Once everyone’s settled, you’ll be ready for some FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS at PLUG on 3rd September. You then have enough time to recover for 5th September, as it’s the BUPA YORKSHIRE RUN. You can join Sheffield’s Dick (from Dick and Dom), Hugh Dennis (comedian), Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale) and me - Sophie Mei. We’ll be raising money for the ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY helping lead the fight against dementia - you can find out more at www.alzheimers.org.uk

It’s always advisable to have a post-run treat and word on the street is that Sheffield designers ROC & DOLL are having a SAMPLE SALE where you can buy your designer goods on 10th October in Sheffield’s shabby-chic Shoreditch, Darnall.

You can even complete the look on 12th September at new bar - ALIBI with their Mizani hair show by Toni&Guy in aid of HELP A HALLAM CHILD

HAMLET is on at the CRUCIBLE THEATRE from 16th September - 23rd October with John Simm in the title role. I’m going to see Mr. Simm as opposed to MICHAEL BUBLE, who has sold out at the HALLAM FM ARENA.

Finish the month off on a buonissimo high as FARGATE will host to an ITALIAN MARKET from 24th - 28th.

No excuse not to be active this October as there is something for everyone from CHINESE POLE at GREENTOP CIRCUS on 2nd October to the MANIC STREET PREACHERS at 02 Academy on 6th October.

Even if your papa don’t preach, you can still say a little prayer at the WEDDING/CIVIL PARTNERSHIP SHOWCASE on 10th October at Sheffield Town Hall.

October’s always a funny month, as there’s not much on until Halloween and tinsel season strikes. Luckily for us Sheffielders however, October is jam-packed with the Magners GRIN UP NORTH COMEDY FESTIVAL. We can have the last laugh with acts such as JIMMY CARR, DARA O’BRIAIN and Sheffield’s very own TOBY FOSTER.

Closer to home, is the chance to find out about fostering in Sheffield, a service that is in great need of your support in order to be sustainable in helping care for young people. The FOSTERING INFORMATION EVENING takes place on 13th October at QUAKER MEETING HOUSE.

The one man with a tan even I can’t compete with is JOHN BARROWMAN who will be performing at SHEFFIELD CITY HALL on 14th October. There’s no business like show business.

September

What’s on...

October

If you would like to have your event featured in the

next issue of Made in Sheffield Magazine, please

email [email protected]

Events Made in Sheffield Listings

In association with

Fun Lovin’ Criminals headline Plug Dara O’Briain plays the Grin Up North festival

Page 38: Made in Sheffield Magazine

38 Made in Sheffield September/October 2010

EVENTS GALLERY(SEE AND BE SEEN)

CAPTIVATE FASHION SHOWJUNE 2010

Events Made in Sheffield Gallery

Page 39: Made in Sheffield Magazine

www.madeinsheffieldmag.co.uk 39

EVENTS GALLERY(SEE AND BE SEEN)

PERFECT PINK TEA PARTY 2JULY 2010

Events Made in Sheffield Gallery

All photographs © Katy Thomson - www.serendipityphotography.co.uk

Page 40: Made in Sheffield Magazine

MADE IN SHEFFIELD MAGAZINE IS CHANGINGBETTER, BIGGER, BOLDER

NOVEMBER 2010.