A natural home for Government
Sheffield is a proven location of choice for the civil service, with several key core Government department operations based in the city:
- Department for Education (DfE)
- Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
- Home Office (UK Borders Agency)
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
and their At Arms Length Bodies (ALB's):
- UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)
- University for Industry (Ufi)
- Skills for Justice
- Capital for Enterprise (CfEL)
- Natural England
- Environment Agency
From the above it is clear that one of Sheffield city region's key strengths lies in education and skills. A centre of excellence and network of expertise has been developed and firmly embedded in the city, originally stemming from the relocation of Manpower Services Commission and the Department of Education and Skills in the 1970/80's.
This has also been a catalyst for developing other areas of related private sector activity. The University for Industry (Ufi), established in 1998, has encouraged the development of a growing and highly successful e-learning technology cluster. Sheffield is in turn establishing itself as the UK centre of e-learning.
In the wider economy over 266,000 people are employed in public sector administration within a 60 minute peak commute of the city centre. This represents over 29% of those employed in the catchment.
Connectivity
Sheffield's position in the centre of Britain enables easy access to other major cities, via both road and rail. London St Pancras is 2 hours away on a direct train route with 2 trains per hour.
Sheffield is at the forefront of ICT connectivity, the city's proximity to existing telecommunications and internet networks, provides efficient access to the UK, Europe and the World. Sheffield's Digital Region is the first major regional deployment of 'Superfast Broadband' in the UK, the network is a fast, secure and cost effective Public Sector Network (PSN) compliant service.
"Capital for Enterprise Limited remains delighted with its decision to locate in Sheffield. Although the location was always right for us in terms of geography and access to other centres, we were uncertain as to whether we would be able to continue to access the high quality, experienced professional staff vital for our business. Experience has proved those doubts unfounded. We have grown by 50% in our first 18 months in Sheffield and have continued to attract extremely high calibre people. Indeed Sheffield has been a positive factor in recruiting many of our new staff from all around the Country."
Rory Earley, Chief Executive of Capital for Enterprise
Cost effectiveness
- There is a good supply of Grade A office accommodation within the city, with occupancy costs at 40% below London
- Salaries are on average 29% lower than London, with particular strengths in IT support staff, sales and customer services, and professional occupations
- Sheffield is at the forefront of developing a public sector shared property offer with flexible lease terms
- The Digital Region can offer you a cost effective public Sector Network (PSN) compliant service
Sheffield is a successful location for government to settle. We believe that there are excellent opportunities in Sheffield for growth and ong term prosperity, offering your organisation the balance of quality, cost and low risk in a proven location, but don't just take our word for it:
"...the move into the new accommodation will save money on running costs. It illustrates our long term commitment to Sheffield and to our staff there, who carry out key policy work on some of our most important issues."
Simon Fraser, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Business Innovation and Skills
UKBA has commented:
"Sheffield was the natural location to consolidate; it already provided a trained and skilled workforce and was part of a large catchment area for future expansion. It also complied with the recommendations of the Lyons Review to move civil servants from expensive properties in London and the South East into more affordable regional locations - advisers confirmed that Sheffield offered some of the most competitive commercial rates in the country for new building projects. There were good transport links with other HO sites, both nationally and regionally, and an efficient and established transport infrastructure to encourage more sustainable means for staff and customers to travel to the new site - the development offered a Public Facing Office for the first time in Sheffield."
Quality of life
The quality of life available in Sheffield is second to none. Sheffield is England's greenest city, surrounded by some of the most breathtaking countryside in the UK. Situated on the doorstep of the Peak District national park, Chatsworth House, Bakewell and Castleton, which are just some of the attractions within a short distance from the city.
Sheffield is one of England's safest cities. It is the UK's first national city of sport and has the largest theatre complex outside of London. There are a wealth of shopping, leisure and sporting amenities; ranging from the changing face and development of the city centre to the Meadowhall shopping centre.
"I moved from the SE of England in 1993 and have been living in the Sheffield area ever since. I love the place; the people are friendly and the city is like a village where you are always meeting people. There is plenty to do with excellent theatres, cinema, great music venues like the Boardwalk and unusual events like the amazing "Off the Shelf" literary festival which offers more and more each year. Not to mention the great real ale. Going out does not cost a fortune; compared to other cities in Britain. It would take a lot for me to move away from here"
Dr Angela Carter, Occupational Psychologist, The Institute of Work Psychology, Sheffield University
For details of Creativesheffield's services available to public sector departments please click here.
Or, for further information and tailored support for your project please contact:
- Ann Allen, Investment Manager, +44 (0) 114 223 2367