Sheffield city centre Cambridge St collective biggest food hall opens for the 1st weekend trade tour

I just don't get it why they would have a massive food market on the first weekend opening of the Cambridge collective food hall.
‪@BANAMAN‬ ‪@stevecoatesdotnet‬ ‪@pinacmediauk7453‬

[@stevecoatesdotnet]

I was surprised at how busy it was. Looks like the outdoor food market hasn't affected it. I expect it will die off a bit after the summer.

[@misscoutts6193]

Opening and Bank Holiday weekend curiosity value. 🤔 It's open 7 days til 11 pm.

[@justinshore5566]

The largest cramped space in Europe.

[@timawells]

Its no where near as big as the Meadowhall foodhall.

[@hazelmanship7516]

Love seeing your vlogs haven't been to Sheffield since before covid,it's really changed with all the new builds, not my cup of tea in the new collective restaurant,too much hustle and bustle,but nice this see it,and Sheffield busy. Thanks for sharing take care bye for now 😊

[@timawells]

I have been out at Penistone and Stocksbridge today. Made a mistake and deleted a video I did of HSBC's computer centre, it will shock people, I worked there in the 90s.

[@JC-ps2zy]

I bet there's some nice places to eat there. Absolutely right on the saturation of places to eat in town but I love the variety and quality some places and competition always good for consumers Tim. This looks like a positive opejing however be goodto see how it's utilised by students and passers by.

[@timawells]

But no Fish and chips, Yorkshire pudding or dumplings and Stew as far as I could see.

[@JC-ps2zy]

@@timawells good point! You can probably get every kind of noodle and curry in there though lol. Not that I'm complaining 😎

[@loftysaltmarsh69]

With Wes acting as bodyguard no one will mess with you 👍

[@timawells]

There were 5 of us in total.

[@JackBlack-gh5yf]

Sourdough bread and circuses eh?! 😁Smell-O-Vision Tim? I remember THe Anvil cinema showing a film with scratch 'n' sniff cards! 😆I'm afraid that really doesn't look like somewhere I'd want to eat I'm afraid, even if it was quieter. Big contrast to the Cambridge Street Cafe (a small first floor tea room that closed in the late 70's I think). Those big multiple choice food halls seem to be very much the trend though (not that it worked out in Orchard Square, but it really wasn't very good). The outdoor areas are interesting, but sadly, it seems there are only views of other big, modern buildings, which look much the same to me. Thanks for the tour. Do you remember the Hippodrome Tim, I know where it was, but don't think I remember it myself. I remember Sexy Rexy's opening! 🤣

[@timawells]

I did a positive video, but like you I would find it a horror to be in there Jack. I once walked through the new Meadowhall food hall that is much bigger and thought that is hell on earth. Hippodrome was knocked down the year of my life, but I have since worked out where it was.

[@JackBlack-gh5yf]

@@timawells You were very fair Tim, I'm sure some will like it. Good grief, I'd forgotten about MeadowHell, that cacophonous food hall was a nightmare! I must be at least 10 years since I was last there, so perhaps it is even worse now! The Hippodrome is covered in at least one of George Cummings' books, and he did a painting of it too. Hope you enjoy your Sunday mate, and thanks for all the shoe leather you expend on us! 👍

[@timawells]

@@JackBlack-gh5yf Morning Jack. I used to use the Oasis occasionally, but the last time I went it it was expanded and it looked like hell as I passed through. We did a Net Zero bus tour so saved some leather. As for the Hippodrome, ABC, Gaumont etc we lost some beautiful places.

[@JackBlack-gh5yf]

@@timawells I forgot it was called the Oasis Tim! So badly named! 😁Good for you mate 🙂We certainly did, Sheffield had some great cinemas, and like every other other British city, a great many of them, at one time. I can remember when page 2 of The Star (broadsheet size) was all cinemas, but in my dad's day, it was 2 or 3 pages.

[@timawells]

@@JackBlack-gh5yf Those were the days Jack.

[@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485]

hi Tim, long time fan... but this is a misreading of the situation "I just don't get it why Sheffield city council would have a massive food market on the first weekend opening of the Cambridge collective food hall." The Sheffield Food Festival has been over this weekend for at least ten years. Maybe the Cambridge Collective Food Hall (CCFH) should have noted that. No blame at all attached to the Council (this time ;-) In fact maybe the CCFH chose the opening deliberately as there's never so many foodies gathered in Sheffield at one time except for this weekend. Perhaps they had someone handing out flyers to promote the opening. If they didn't it was an opportunity missed. ;-)

[@timawells]

It wasn't just about the Food Hall, these markets destroy the business of the food places that are here all year. Only 1 out of 8 food units are open in the Light cinema complex. More and more food outlets planned for the town centre. I think the failed container park is coming back to Fargate. Did you know that Radisson Blu was built and paid for by the council, I haven't even looked into what is behind the Food Hall, which is no where near the size of Oasis at Meadowhall never mind Europe.

[@misscoutts6193]

They have that many food stalls in Pinstone Street I didn't realise it was a special food festival! It's getting too much. It used to be people shopping on Saturdays now it's all food and people eating in the street. My first impression was it's like Blackpool pleasure beach!

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 I won't be in Sheffield Saturday, its getting more and more depressing for me. Bread and circus.

[@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485]

@@timawells @misscoutts6193 Some perspective is needed here. The Sheffield Food Festival is an annual event. It is NOT a market. Sheffield Council destroyed the 'farmers market' here many years ago. Not least by moving it to different locations and different days. Farmers markets exist in big cities and tiny villages for the local food producers to get their artisanal food and drink produce to local people. Sheffield is the only major city without a farmers market. The council almost destroyed the annual Sheffield Food Festival around 5 years ago but thanks to external organisers persisting it still is here. It's a free, once a year, event that is especially important to local food and drink producers who have no monthly farmers market through which to reach the people of Sheffield who want to buy something that wasn't 'built' to the standards demanded by supermarkets. By the way, as one of the founding food makers that joined the Moor Market on its opening, along with other small artisan food businesses, Sheffield Council managed to get us out of the building through exhorbitant rent and service charges. Sheffield is no friend to small food businesses. So please hold back your criticism of the Food Festival - it's all we have now.

[@Timrud1]

Surprised to see how busy town was

[@timawells]

Yes I was shocked.

[@misscoutts6193]

@@timawells Fargate isn't it was centred on Pinstone Street and Peace Gardens because of the food festival and the weather helped.

[@lindacliffe4133]

Looks ok to me. Might be quieter after bank holidays. Perhaps try looking next week. We do need indoor spaces in our climate. .

[@timawells]

I prefer quiet places to eat.

[@misscoutts6193]

If it gets quiet it means it's failing. When The Light cinema first opened it was busy.

[@Stannington]

The Cambridge Street Collective .... which can't be accessed via Cambridge Street 🙄

[@timawells]

Sounds better,

[@DaisyDaisy4900]

Not been into Sheff for ages but would like to try out the new food hall. Where do they all park? last time I went I parked in a multi storey Q-Park which was really expensive and quite a walk up into town.

[@timawells]

I park for free around the canal basin and walk in.

[@christophersalt7210]

it's reminds me of the food halls they have in the states,but the trouble is with the outside food markets is the prices they charge ate unreal,I remember when they had one on fargate the continental stores were triple the price of the one in the castle market,I hope it does well but maybe in the midweek it will be quieter

[@timawells]

Cost of living crisis and all that. Things are no longer value for money.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@timawellsOverheads are very high. Then staff wages.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 Prices to match.

[@retrorambles517]

Food halls glorious food hall

[@timawells]

Truly scrumptious

[@misscoutts6193]

Not a place i will be going though will it be as packed in a year's time? A lot of curiosity value because it's just opened and Bank Holiday weekend but i thought people were struggling to pay bills something doesn't add up. Surely it will impact other food outlets because it's reached saturation point. There is also a kids' play area with sandpit. Who are they appealing to?

[@timawells]

I did a positive video but I have my own feelings I kept quiet. There is also the Leopold area which looks like another food type area. Isn't Coles going to be another. Its very small compared with the Meadowhall Oasis, so is no where near the biggest foodhall in Europe.

[@misscoutts6193]

Leopold Square is all bars with food, Orchard Square have changed their name from Food Hall to Cutlery something. The Midcity House container park is coming and John Lewis ditto.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 Haven't we another container park coming to Fargate rinse and repeat

[@misscoutts6193]

Entertainment 'hub' and 3 storey food outlet & bar with roof garden in the Clintons Cards old premises. Opens 2025. Stage area at the top of Fargate for performances.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 I am sure I head somewhere that new metal containers were being built ready to go back on Fargate. Watch this space.

[@retrorambles517]

Imagine you book the hotel and the Radisson hotel And you walk out to all this food and the sounds and the smells Not sure id like that to be honest

[@timawells]

The Radisson Blue isn't the upmarket hotel I expected.

[@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485]

I hear that Radisson will not let any of the food sellers be placed outside their hotel at the 2025 Sheffield Food Festival. As big a fan as I am of the festival, I think it is the right decision for the reasons you mention 🙂

[@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485]

@@timawells Why? The Radisson Blue brand describes itself as "a premium hotel brand that offers a blend of luxury, comfort, and exceptional service". The modest branding on the outside I think was a deliberate choice so as to let the frontage of the building continue look elegant and untarnished by 21st century tackiness. If you recall, the frontage of the building was deliberately preserved as they knocked down everything behind it. It it hadn't I am sure the front of this new hotel would have been an ugly addition to the Peace Garden area. I haven't been inside. Has anyone here? If so please let us know if it looks like it keeps its promise of "a blend of luxury, comfort, and exceptional service"....

[@timawells]

@@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485 Yes we need to give businesses a chance who trade here annually.

[@timawells]

@@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485 I am sure its only £75 a night for a twin. Sheffield council have built the hotel and I am trying to find out how much Radisson Blue will pay to lease back.

[@everydaysabonus]

Hi Tim I’m pleased they had the outdoor stalls must have made it a better day and it was certainly a bustling crowd 👍 The food hall not for me, a place where you go to be noticed and aimed at Students in my opinion 😢

[@timawells]

Richard I have concerns about the market stalls being mercenary and destroying the established food businesses, it must have been awful for them at Christmas. I would rather see a better market in Castlegate with a permanent outdoor market as was the case for 750-years.

[@everydaysabonus]

@@timawells now then, a permanent outdoor market is a different thing 👍Worksop, Retford both good examples and Retford of multi use as well 👍

[@timawells]

@@everydaysabonus Sheffield should aim for a Retford Market in Castlegate. There is an outside market at the bottom of the Moor but its poor.

[@everydaysabonus]

@@timawells you can’t beat an outdoor market even if it rains, Chesterfield is fine when it rains

[@timawells]

@@everydaysabonus Chesterfield is a proper market Richard. We had a Fitzalan Market Hall where C&A was knocked down in the 1930s and the Norfolk Market Hall knocked down in the 50s. Both as big as Chesterfield Market Hall.

[@Suprimmsi]

Is that bigger than Meadowhall? not gonna lie it looks really small but all the press I have seen for it says biggest in Europe, yet from the video it looks dwarfed by Meadowhall Oasis.

[@timawells]

Totally agree with you, nothing like the size of Meadowhall. I thought I would let others be the judge,

[@retrorambles517]

I think the biggest in Europe has some spin on it It's apparently the biggest custom built food hall in Europe

[@Suprimmsi]

@@retrorambles517 Yeah I was trying to think of what the spin could be, all I could think of was the same, It must be because it is a standalone food hall where as the Oasis is a food hall that is part of a shopping centre.

[@retrorambles517]

@@Suprimmsi yeah and this was custom built Not repurposed

[@retrorambles517]

Apart from being crowded and too many people What puts me off is the seats I like to sit down to eat with both feet on rhe ground and with something against my back and chat not shout to the people im with Theres too many bench seats and stools abd seats that are high up

[@timawells]

Give me a quiet country pub any day with British food.

[@retrorambles517]

@@timawells you make a good point I wonder if these menus change ? Would love some decent stew and dumplings in winter with some ale 😋

[@timawells]

@@retrorambles517 The trouble is they don't want us to remember our roots.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@retrorambles517these are ethnic food kitchens so it won't change unless any of them close down but more of the same. Restaurants are closing all the time, even popular ones because they can't make it pay. As Tim has documented, The Light cinema complex has one food outlet still open out of 8.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@retrorambles517 i agree, uncomfortable seats and people shouting.

[@andywright3450]

Omg tim not for me mate i thought people were struggling with the cost of living crisis load of bull

[@timawells]

Andy I personally wouldn't set foot in the place to eat. I like the bar at the top, but only on a summers day. I am teetotal anyway.

[@misscoutts6193]

andywright3450. There is something not adding up about people struggling to pay bills and the amount of people paying top whack for this canteen style foreign street food.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 Debt Miss Havisham. Also so many get credits for children and other things. I was shocked with the number of people in Sheffield Saturday, but very empty to the 1960s to 1990s.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@timawellsI can think of better places on a summer's day Tim. The open roof area looks smaller than I'd have expected and no flower tubs.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 That was the highlight.

[@fishandchipdiaries]

Not my kind of place. I’ll stick to fish & chips. Ha

[@timawells]

I agree, I wanted people to make their own minds up.

[@everydaysabonus]

Me too buddy, have you tried Manton Fish Bar, one of my best shorts at over 50k views👍

[@timawells]

@@everydaysabonus I will look. These shorts can go viral Richard, glad you told me about them.

[@fishandchipdiaries]

@@everydaysabonus Worksop? I’ll put it on our list! 👍

[@everydaysabonus]

@@fishandchipdiaries bottom end of Worksop round the corner from Papas not far from McDonald’s you’ll find it on Google, the specials are good and fish cooked to order 👍

[@RogueTrader-]

The acoustics of that place are horrible, just a loud amplified gaggle of noise. This place and pretty much everything that's been built in Sheffield in the last 25 years give me the sterile international industrial vibe I get from airports. It's no wonder everyone has anxiety problems. It has no soul or individuality it's the same everywhere, it's not even modern anymore, it's a style that's been copy-pasted again and again... It offers nothing to Sheffields identity. Also those students wont have the spending power to keep all these in business running once the novelty has worn off, which with todays attention spans it's probably already yesterdays news. They will buy cheaper delivery and watch netflix and tik tok in their student villages. I also can't see many new businesses moving into offices spaces in Sheffield city centre in the near future. Same thing with this Sheffield business park that they keep extending up the parkway all the way to Waverley and Catcliffe. Massive new industrial and office units mostly empty and for rent and yet the still keep building them. Maybe they know something we dont.

[@misscoutts6193]

Interesting and honest comment. Many call centres have now closed in Sheffield there is less demand for office space than ever, yet a planning application has been submitted for an 8 storey office block on the Salvation Army Citadel site round the corner from the food hall. I agree, the place is soul-less and a horrid constant cacophony of clatter and loud voices: not good for peace of mind it causes unease and anxiety.

[@timawells]

I think they created the unease on purpose.

[@timawells]

What else can I say.

[@misscoutts6193]

Rogue Trader. Makes you wonder if these industrial units could be holding camps for dissenters in time of war.

[@stellahawkins1958]

All done for 15 minute city.

[@timawells]

Parkway electronic signs as I was driving away. Walk more.

[@Cepheus_Rex]

What does 15 minute city mean?

[@timawells]

@@Cepheus_Rex They claim all your services will be in a 15 minute walk, but we believe its more like digital prisons constructed to milk cash out of you.

[@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485]

@@Cepheus_Rex Also means we will crammed into the city to live in little boxes - as known as student rooms. Do note how the "student" high rise blocks are shooting up wherever there is a piece of waste land in the city centre. At some point, they will be released for "housing" for the good people of Sheffield - as all higher education goes online and those buildings need to be re-purposed by the Council as a place to live - with the message "why not move in and enjoy all the facilities you could ever need within a 15 minutes walk" ;-) There was a comment below - "I also can't see many new businesses moving into offices spaces in Sheffield city centre in the near future". Let me just add - these empty city office spaces will be converted into student room-sized living spaces - so they can cram more people into the confines of the ring road. If your anxiety levels are high now - just wait... 😞

[@misscoutts6193]

@@piewich-bunsstuffedwithsav5485 this all looks very ominous. It's still like this in America; people living in 'rooming houses' just a bedroom like when you go on holiday and now air b&b so no breakfast provided: you go to the food hall so you don't need a kitchen either.

[@cocosheffield79]

I don’t like eating establishments where people bring dogs so I’ll probably give it a miss

[@timawells]

I don't like open plan like this.

[@retrorambles517]

Bit of a positive video this one

[@timawells]

I did a positive video, but personally its not my cup of tea. Too crowded and I prefer British, Italian, the odd curry and Greek. I hate Chinese food and the like.

[@retrorambles517]

@@timawells any chance of you doing short videos on kommune or orchard square food halls for comparison? Or the food halls down kelham and neepsend?

[@timawells]

@@retrorambles517 I am not sure they would be so happy to have us inside. I think Orchard Sq food hall has gone.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@timawellsit hasn't, they have changed their name. It was called Food Hall but now there is another food hall they are called Cutlery something.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 Cutlery maybe another venture of theirs. But correct me if I am wrong. The waters are so muddy. Its not the biggest food hall in Sheffield, never mind Europe.

[@retrorambles517]

Cost of living eh ?

[@timawells]

Yes I don't get it. But 30K each week at Hillsborough paying £30 minimum to just get in the ground. But look at what was going off on Pinstone St and in the Peace gardens.

[@misscoutts6193]

​@@timawellsa family with kids going there will cost £30. At least. If people are struggling with bills how does this make sense🤔.

[@timawells]

@@misscoutts6193 I think a combo was £30 for 4, then there is the drink. All Sheffield city centre is about is food and drink.

[@greatyorkshirelump]

That looks bloody awful.

[@timawells]

I didn't want to colour your vision. I hate the place as well.