Strategy aims to attract events and cash to city

The city council wants to host more major events similar to the Tramlines Festival

Major events would attract visitors and generate extra income for Sheffield, a report has said.

Councillors are considering adopting a strategy designed to attract high-profile events in future years.

It will focus on encouraging the organisers of sporting, business and cultural events to consider the city.

Sheffield has hosted several major events including most recently the 2024 Mobo Awards and the third leg of the Tour of Britain cycle race.

The strategy would also create a framework to ensure major events have a "lasting, positive impact on local people, local businesses, communities and the Sheffield economy," the council added.

Martin Smith, chair of the council's economic development and skills committee said events were "big business" across the UK.

“Not only is the economic impact of events significant for the city, but events help us build our reputation and allow others to see and experience Sheffield on a different scale," he said.

“Hosting more events, and more diverse events will help us attract more visitors to the city, generate more income, they will bring investment and help us to grow our economy.”

Alongside high-profile events, Sheffield has a number of homegrown festivals including DocFest, which has been in the city for over 30 years, to Tramlines, one of the UK’s longest running, city-based music festivals.

Tramlines alone attracts 40,000 visitors and organisers believe it adds £3.8m to the economy through spending by festivalgoers on transport, food and accommodation.

Earlier this year, a brand-new podcast festival, Crossed Wires, was also launched in the city, attracting talent from across the UK and beyond, to Sheffield.

The council said the major events plan would ensure events were of real benefit to the city.

Councillors will be asked to approve proposals next week.

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