Summer slowdown but Sheffield holds its own
Overview year to date
2025 spend data shows a robust start to the year for Sheffield city centre, with visitor spending remaining resilient despite a mid-year dip. The data reflects five consecutive months of year-on-year growth from January to May, followed by a downturn in June and August, with a partial recovery in July. Sheffield city centre’s performance continues to outpace many regional and national benchmarks.
Monthly spending trends
• January: +3.1% year-on-year growth
• February: +0.6% year-on-year growth
• March: +3.4% year-on-year growth
• April: +1.9% year-on-year growth
• May: +4.3% year-on-year growth
• June: -8.6% year-on-year downturn
• July: -1.3% year-on-year downturn
• August: -6.2% year-on-year downturn
Spending surged from £16.8 million in January to £21.8 million in May, a remarkable 30% increase over five months. This growth highlights strong consumer confidence and economic stability in Sheffield’s city centre during the first half of 2025.
Summer slowdown
The 8.6% year-on-year drop in June aligns with a broader national trend, driven by two key factors:
Calendar impact: June 2025 had four Saturdays compared to five in June 2024, reducing key trading opportunities. This was compounded by the absence of a high-traffic trading day during the half-term weekend.
Weather influence: Unseasonably hot weather likely shifted consumer preferences toward outdoor and coastal destinations, diverting footfall from urban retail areas.
July marked a partial recovery, with Sheffield among the one-third of UK towns and cities reporting year-on year sales growth.
Despite a 6.2% downturn in August, Sheffield’s year-to date performance remains among the strongest of major regional cities. The city centre is consistently outperforming regional and national benchmarks, and the overall trajectory remains positive.
Diane Jarvis, Chief Executive Officer:
“While August continued the summer slowdown seen across the UK, Sheffield’s year-to-date performance remains resilient. As we approach the Golden Quarter, our focus is on supporting city centre businesses to maximise seasonal opportunities and drive renewed momentum into the final months of the year. A strong city centre economy benefits everyone — not just retail and hospitality, but also professional services, cultural venues, and the wider business community that relies on vibrant footfall and consumer confidence.”
