Australian initiative to be launched for Sheffield startups

Sheffield entrepreneurs are set to receive a major boost for their businesses as a new scheme based on an Australian model is being launched in the city centre next week.

In recent years, Sheffield City Council and the University of Sheffield have been working on small-scale uses of buildings, but now the aim is to take this concept to the next level.

ReNew is based on the successful Renew Newcastle, Australia initiative led by Marcus Westbury, the writer, broadcaster, festival director and media maker. During a series of events last year, Marcus was invited to Sheffield by the University of Sheffield to share his knowledge on the initiative.

Professor Vanessa Toulmin, from the University of Sheffield who is Chair of Re:New and Director of City Cultural Engagement, said: “We were truly inspired by Marcus during his visit to the city last year and I am delighted that by working with our partners in the city, we have come together to launch ReNew.

“The project will not only transform and bring vibrancy to buildings in the city which otherwise would have stood empty or even derelict, it will give start-up businesses a chance to flourish and hopefully increase footfall to the city in turn boosting the local economy.”

The launch of the scheme will be held in the Theatre Delicatessen (formerly Woolworths) on The Moor at 5.30pm on Thursday 30 July.

The Re:New project will provide greater support for business start-ups, artists and creatives looking for empty buildings in the city centre, with funding support up to £10k available.

Councillor Leigh Bramall, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Skills and Development said: “We have recognised the importance of supporting meanwhile uses for several years now, but we want to take this concept to the next level with a more organised scheme developed with city partners.

“Re:New is the result, giving new, independent businesses the opportunity to test their ideas, whilst at the same time enlivening the city’s streets by adding variety, colour and new life to our city centre.

“I would certainly urge anyone interested in starting up a small business to come along on 30 July to have a chat or check out the new web site to get more details about the support now available. We have checked the main obstacles for users and independent retailers and we will be aiming to minimise the issues restricting them.”

Many more vacant buildings in the city centre are expected to become active, providing much needed footfall, spend and more varied activities to areas in transition, such as the Sheffield Retail Quarter site and Castlegate.

The project’s purpose is to allow new concepts to be tested on a temporary basis, which will hopefully lead to those businesses becoming established for permanent use elsewhere in the city centre.

Organisations in Sheffield have already begun to take on vacant units and transform them into vibrant businesses.