The idea
The Sheffield Antiques Quarter lies about 1 mile from Sheffield City Centre and consists of 35 shops specialising in retro, vintage, arts, antiques, militaria and salvage as well as cafes.
Spanning 3 key Roads; Abbeydale, Broadfield and Queens Rd the Quarter is set almost in a triangle. On Queens Rd there are 2 key centres and on Broadfield Rd, which is semi-industrial, another 3 large centres. Abbeydale Rd provides the longest stretch and has most of the remaining businesses and 1 centre located along it's 3/4 mile stretch.
We feel banners on key lampposts and buildings throughout the quarter would help identify the area and that information signs and murals at key points would embellish the quarter while enabling people to find their way.
We have created a destination for Sheffield which is supported by Sheffield City Council so in addition to the localised signage we want to invest in Brown signage so that visitors to the city can easily find their way.
What we'll deliver
- Enhance the area with art based projects to include mosaics, lettering and mural work on key buildings and gable ends.
- Brown signage at key points in and around Sheffield
- Pavement based signage to include murals to further enhance and identify the trail
- Place 6 information points in the area
- Place banners on key lamposts and buildings throughout the quarter
Why it's a great idea
The Quarter represents something brilliant for Sheffield - the development and bringing together of a vibrant new Quarter for the City. It creates a new shopping area and browsing experience in an area filled with local independent businesses run by Sheffield people.
The themes of the Quarter - retro, vintage, arts, antiques, salvage and militaria which together have a wide appeal. As a group we have done much to get this off the ground and start the process, but what we need now is the glue to hold it all together.
Permanent, localised and city signage would mark this Quarter for all to see. Great things have already happened and these simple measures are guaranteed to make the impact that will fix it for the future and for us to build upon.
This is a venture that has had overwhelming support locally and few can not see the great benefits for all concerned. The fabulous launch event held last year and recent markets were well attended and set a precedent for regular events here.
Steps to get it done
- Application and instruction to Sheffield City Council for brown signage
- Application for banners on 5 key 'entry' point lamposts in the quarter and instruction to Amey (highways) in Sheffield
- Commission local artists to develop projects for the area for buidlings and pavements (put in application where required
- Placing 6 information points in the area - costing of lockable outdoor information / poster cases using local business
We have worked very hard over the past year to make the steps we have taken and the coming together of 35 businesses has clearly been a great thing. However, the resources we have are limited and it is impossible for these projects to be financed by us.
To keep up the momentum and to ensure we stamp this Quarter onto Sheffield as a permanent feature of our city and a destination we need to make these steps now.
These steps are guaranteed to make an enormous impact and be really effective in highlighting the Quarter which would be so exciting for the area and for Sheffield. We have seen changes already and signage of this sort would make all the difference and ensure this Quarter's sustainability now and in the future.
Our achievements to-date have come and been driven from within. The opportunity that crowdfunding offers us now is for us all to be a part of the development of this Quarter and to make a real difference - for us to forge part of our city.
