New woodland in Dinnington created in bid to tackle climate crisis and pay tribute to the Queen
A new community woodland is set to be created in Dinnington in a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Over 7000 trees will be planted on former grazing land off Athorpe Road in a project supported by the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership.
It is part of the Queens Green Canopy scheme and it will be named the Queen Elizabeth II Woodland. The scheme is designed to plant a million trees from March 2021 to March 2023 as a living tribute to the Queen.
This woodland will form part of Rotherham Council’s plans to meet a net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Council aims to plant 10,000 trees each year for the next decade and beat last year's target of 20,000.
Councillor David Sheppard, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion at Rotherham Council, said: “Climate change is an important issue and as a council we are taking steps to respond to the climate emergency.
“The Queen Elizabeth II Community Woodland forms part of our efforts to create a greener and cleaner local environment for residents.
“There will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved in this exciting project, including a planting day, which is set to take place later this month.”
A community planting day will take place on Saturday 25 February from 10.30am to 3pm and gloves and spades will be provided.
The woodland has been designed to be community friendly and has designated sledging areas.
Matt North, Programme Manager at the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership said: “We work with public and private landowners to develop and fund woodland creation that’s of benefit for people and wildlife.
“We really enjoyed working with council officers designing a woodland that will be a home for nature that the public can enjoy.
“It’s fantastic to see the local community being able to take part in helping create and care for this significant project in Dinnington.”
This woodland also forms part of the Northern Forest initiative which aims to plant 50 million new trees by 2043 from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast.
Alex Evans, South Yorkshire Woodland Senior Project Officer said: "The South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership are working within the Northern Forest, supporting the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and other partners with their current tree planting targets as part of their approach to tackling the Climate Emergency.
"As well as tacking carbon emissions, tree planting and woodland creation projects have a multitude of other benefits. This includes benefits to nature, improving and linking up habitats for wildlife as well as improvements to soils, air and water quality,"
Contact woodlandenquiries@wildsheffield.com to find out more about how you can be involved with woodland creation projects.
University of Sheffield Students’ Union marks historic LGBT+ anniversary
A plaque to commemorate fifty-years of LGBT+ representation has been unveiled at the University of Sheffield Students' Union.
The plaque was revealed in an event last Friday by Gerry Firkins, who was the Chair of the University’s Gaysoc from 1973 to 1975, and Jamie Shipp, the SU’s LGBT+ part time Officer.
The unveiling took place in Interval Bar in the Students’ Union and was organised by Grace Clearly, the SU’s Liberations Officer.
Mr Firkins said: “What I was concerned about, which started this whole process, was that I didn’t want this to be forgotten.”
The plaque commemorates the passing of an historic motion that was debated at the SU, a motion which Mr Firkins spoke in favour of which was: 'This house supports Gay Rights.'
For Mr Firkins, though, the 50th anniversary is threefold; the founding of Gaysoc, the passing of this motion and the first Gaysoc disco which he organised as chair of the society.
He added: “It was thanks to Grace [Clearly] that this is all happening. She has been wonderful, she has been powerful, she’s taken it and made it what it is.”
The unveiling took place after a screened interview with Mr Firkins, where he spoke about his time at university and the formation of Gaysoc.
Ms Clearly said she was glad to have the opportunity to celebrate this anniversary. She added: “We wanted to plan as much as we could because Gerry was asking for so little. All he wanted was just for it not to be forgotten.”
Mr Firkins said: “I really do wish Gaysoc all the best. And I’ve reminded them that they need to come back in 50 years for the 100th anniversary. These are moments when you can take the measure of what you have done and what you have achieved.”
There is also an exhibition in the Information Commons at the University, which has the interview showing on silent, a curated book collection and various artefacts.
This will be running until the end of February.
Dan Walker “battered and bruised” but alive after being hit by car
Popular news presenter and Sheffield alumni Dan Walker is out of hospital and "glad to be alive" after he was hit by a car earlier today.
The Channel 5 anchor, who lives in the city, was riding his bike when the accident happened.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Bit of an accident this morning.
"Glad to be alive after being hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but don't think anything is broken."
Fans of Mr Walker replied with their best wishes, including "Get well soon" and "Sending you all our love Dan."
Six hours later Mr Walker posted an update. He said: "Just got home from hospital. Battered and bruised but - amazingly - nothing broken.
"The helmet I was wearing today saved my life, so if you're on a bike get one on your head."
He also thanked those around him and the NHS for their help.
Friends of Hi5s charity launch new youth club for disabled young people in Hackenthorpe
A charity supporting disabled young people in Sheffield is set to launch a new youth club tomorrow.
The group, Hi 5s Juniors, will offer youths aged 13 to 19 a safe space to relax, meet new people and take part in a range of activities from pancake making to crafting.
The club’s youth worker, Ruth Langrick Evans, 33, from Norton, said: “We want to offer a nice, friendly place for disabled young people to be with their friends as they deserve to have access to the same spaces as everyone else.
“There’s just not enough provision out there for young people with disabilities.”
The decision by the charity, Friends of Hi5s, to start the new club came after they wanted to create a more tailored space of activities for teenagers away from the main Thursday group, which has remained popular with original members who are now getting older.
Ms Langrick Evans said: “I started volunteering with Hi5s 12 years ago and even then the group was full of people that had been there for years before I joined the team.
“The group is so welcoming that nobody wants to leave - we’re like one big family.”
Friends of Hi5s was founded by Mosborough Councillor Gail Smith, 69, from Waterthorpe, after she visited a local youth group and became concerned about the cuts to services for disabled youngsters across the city.
Councillor Smith said: “People don’t always realise but the parents and carers of disabled people have to fight for everything they’ve got.
“Groups like this are very important, not just for meeting up with friends, but it supports the parents and carers as we’re here to help and give advice.”
As Lord Mayor of Sheffield last year, Councillor Smith managed to help raise £15,000 for the charity and hopes the group will continue to have a massive impact on children’s lives.
Ms Langrick Evans said: “I’ve never known a group that’s so accepting.
“I get such a real sense of pride seeing their confidence grow and this group will be no different.”
The Hi 5s Juniors club launches on 21 February and will be available every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Lodge in Hackenthorpe for £4.
The first session is a free taster and anyone who wants to attend or find out more should contact Hi 5s here.
Morning Briefing – Stories to come throughout the day
Anti-Immigration protests in Rotherham
Two arrests have been made during a protest in Rotherham last weekend, with members of anti-immigration groups Patriotic Alternative and English Constitution Party arguing against asylum seekers living in a Holiday Inn Express.
A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism, Rotherham Trades Council and Unite Against Fascism were also present, with the two groups showing aggression towards each other.
Tree of Remembrance is being set up to commemorate children who have died during the Russia-Ukraine War
A tree of remembrance is to be set up in the Winter Gardens on the 24 February, which marks one year since the Russia-Ukraine War started.
The tree is designed to pay tributes to the children who have died because of the conflict.
Sheffield ranks seventh in a list of UK cities with the highest utility bills, according to a new study
A study by Solar Panel Installation found that the average bill in Sheffield was nearly £3000, higher than the likes of Exeter and Manchester.
One year on from the invasion of Ukraine: The stats
It's been nearly one year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine. During this time, thousands of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes, many civilians have lost their lives and international relationships on the world stage have worsened.
It's hard to gauge just how big an impact this war has had on Ukraine and the rest of the world. So here are some key stats and facts to put things into perspective.
Russia has roughly 850,000 active military personnel whereas Ukraine has just 200,000. However the (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) NATO collectively has more than 3 million active personnel. Both Russia and Ukraine also have a mandatory draft, so it's no surprise to see that Poland had the highest number of border crossings from Ukraine, with more than nine million crossings made as of February 2023. Despite efforts to escape the country, nearly 12,500 civilians have been injured as a consequence of the fighting.
Ukraine has wanted to join NATO for decades. But now the country is looking to speed up its application process. As official members of NATO, other members states would be compelled to protect Ukraine from Russian aggression. But Ukraine's path to membership is not simple. There is global concern about the possibility of the USA entering direct conflict with Russia. This could lead to a stark escalation with potentially nuclear consequences. But despite these risks, a majority of Ukrainians want their country to join the NATO alliance.
It's easy to feel helpless and insignificant during this time. But South Yorkshire is playing its part. In fact, as of 14th February 2023, more than 1340 individually sponsored visas have been issued by the four boroughs in South Yorkshire. This is part of the UK's "Homes for Ukraine" sponsorship scheme.
One year on and the outcome of this war is still impossible to predict. However, with both sides bolstering their forces and further talks in the west discussing arming Ukraine with additional jets, it is likely a peaceful resolution will not come anytime soon, if at all.
Some useful links:
- Click here to find out what UNICEF is doing to help the children in Ukraine
- Click here for some additional facts about the Ukraine crisis
- Click here for a useful YouTube video explaining the Ukraine-Russia conflict
Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup boosts the sport’s popularity in Sheffield
With grassroots funding, affordable tickets and roles for the rugby community, the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup has created a buzz about the sport.
Greg Brown, 52, Head Coach of Sheffield Eagles, said: “It’s been a well kept secret for a while, now everyone’s seen it and they’re like…wow, where has this been all our lives.”
Tickets to the games at the English Institute of Sport cost £2.12, allowing school groups and families in their hundreds to witness Wheelchair Rugby League for the first time.
The Sheffield Hawks Under 9s team, who were ball girls and boys for the world cup, were “mesmerised” by the game.
Lisa Riches, 35, the Hawk’s Child Welfare Officer, said: “It was the first time the kids had seen it, and all of them were absolutely mesmerised. They’re now desperate to try it out.”
£22 million has been invested into community projects by the Rugby League World Cup CreatedBy grants, allowing clubs like Sheffield Eagles to buy wheelchairs and get more people involved.
With eight new chairs for their first session after the World Cup, Sheffield Eagles saw a 25% increase in attendees giving wheelchair rugby a go.
One of them, Joe Wink, 20, said: “I used to play rugby, but in the end I couldn’t handle the physicality of it. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.”
David Butler, 42, is a Trustee of the Eagles Foundation, a charity that works closely with Sheffield Eagles. He was also an attack referee throughout the tournament.
“The sport is definitely on the rise, and it’s amazing to see,” he said.
The cost of wheelchairs has been a barrier for the sport’s growth at community level, with the ‘ferrari-model’ costing £10,000.
Despite this, the sport has been widely celebrated for its inclusivity.
“It is the most inclusive sport in the world. I don't know another sport where children can play with adults, men with women, and people with and without disabilities,” said Mr.Butler.
Sheffield Eagle’s wheelchair team practises on Mondays at 6:30pm at the Pearson Buildings at Sheffield Hallam University.
If you’d like to get involved, you can contact their coach David Butler: david.butler@eaglesfoundation.co.uk
Nether Edge band raises money for the Archer Project with ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio Xmas’
A group of Nether Edge neighbours turned local band are donating proceeds of their Christmas hit to a Sheffield homeless charity.
Amalgaband, formed through a lockdown bubble during the pandemic, are hoping to raise money for The Archer Project.
The video for ‘Rock n Roll Radio Xmas’ was filmed by the band’s percussionist, Flynn Hudson-Dean, on the eerie lockdown streets of Nether Edge.
"The video forces you out of your seat. The spirit of rock and roll and Christmas lives through the band on the video. The celebrative feeling of the season screams of good times and connects us all," said Ash Gray, the band's lead singer.
The proceeds of Rock n Radio Xmas, which is available to download on bandcamp, will be donated to the Archer Project - a charity critical in the fight to end homelessness in Sheffield.
It is open 8.30am - 1pm Monday - Friday, and provides a short assessment before 'offering a pathway from street homelessness to a settled life.'
The organisation relies on donations from its supporters, and every penny raised by Amalgaband will go towards the project.
The indie rock group have a niche yet charming song-writing theme - holiday celebrations.
‘Long Long Way to Get to You’ for Valentine's grooving, ‘Seize The Day’ for Easter celebrations and 'Rock 'n' Roll Radio Xmas' to bring in the Christmas season. New Year's Eve will be their next inspiration, said Ash.
“We’re an amalgamation of each other and our surroundings,” he added.
This year, with restrictions eased and the once unfeasible dream of playing live now a reality, the band are keen to get the community rock and rolling again.
Keep your eyes peeled for their next live gig at Cafe #9.
Mental health charity’s Christmas party fundraiser success
A Christmas fundraiser for a Sheffield mental health charity welcomed hundreds through their doors last week.
Sheffield Flourish who organised the event to support those who are struggling with their wellbeing in a bid to raise funds to ensure they can carry on providing a service for their users.
Around 250 people bought a ticket which was held at SADACCA in Castlegate, last Thursday (8 December) raising over £2500.
Managing Director of Sheffield Flourish, Josie Soutar, said: “We wanted to have a really fun event, one we’d want to go to ourselves, so that people could forget all their worries for the night whilst raising money for the organisation.”
The organisation, which was established in 2012, runs activity-based groups for people struggling with mental health issues, including arts, theatre, music and football.
This was the first official fundraining event hosted by the organisation, in a bid to to give something in return to donors, during the cost of living crisis.
Ms Soutar said: “It’s particularly tough at the minute when everyone’s feeling the pinch."The funds will go towards heating Flourish’s main building, maintaining their digital resources, and equipment for their support groups.
Guests took part in a pub quiz and raffle and live music was provided hip-hop/Afro-fusion emcee Franz Von, as well as the 40-piece, female-identifying local choir Neighbourhood Voices.
Ms Soutar said: “The event has proved to us that there’s a good feeling amongst the mental health community that we could put on a bigger, better event.”
Gina Walters, founder of Neighbourhood Voices, told Sheffield Wire Flourish contactedher several months ago, to get her involved in the Christmas event.
She said: “Sheffield Flourish has a very tight-knit community - very creative and artistic. We all need to look out for each other as a community, look after ourselves and rest, and prioritise mental health.”
The Sheffield Mental Health Guide, run by the organisation, is an online directory where users can find all local services and support groups targeted at any mental health condition they struggle with.
The guide, which reaches 85,000 people, is currently targeted at adults, but from next year the charity aims to expand this resource to cover services for people of all ages.
Flourish, which is run by a core team of eight part-time staff, aims to ‘support people to use their skills, ideas and talent to build the lives they want.’
The organisation has already been approached by venues in the city to plan further fundraising events, which are likely to happen during summer 2023.
Barnsley welcome Kes back as it opens at Cineworld in the town this week
Today marks the start of a week long screening of the film adaptation of the iconic Kes at Cineworld in Barnsley and excitement in the town shows how well loved the story is.
There is a real sense of community in the South Yorkshire former mining community as people chat outside coffee shops, college kids rush to get their late lunch, and the winter sun shines down on a proud town's statue of a boy and his bird.
These are the people local author, Barry Hines, wrote about over 50 years ago, and will now be seen across the big screen this week as the curtains are once again opened on the Ken Loach classic.
The 1969 film follows a young working-class boy named Billy Casper, played with conviction by local schoolboy David "Dai" Bradley, who forms his only friendship with a kestrel.
It's a story about not fitting in. It's a story about resilience. It's a story about Barnsley.
Daniel Dowle, 31, the team leader at Cineworld, Barnsley, said: "It’s a great community film that brings the town together and we’re so excited to have it on. To get to watch it in this brand new cinema is something that so many people are looking forward to doing. A lot of our staff were born and raised in Barnsley and grew up with Kes.
A local lad himself, Daniel is looking forward to bringing his young nephew to watch a film his father first showed to him at the age of six.
Sheffield Wire spoke to Barnsley folk about the much anticipated screening.
Julian Gillespie, 72, remembers first going to watch the film as a young man and said it means “everything” to the South Yorkshire town.
Traces of Kes can be seen throughout Barnsley. Not only in the rolling landscapes that provided an ideal backdrop and contrast to Hines' story of confined youth, but also in recent work born out of the town's admiration.
A statue of scrawny outsider Billy Casper was unveiled last year, followed this September by a blue plaque for the late Barnsley actor Brian Glover, who appeared in some of Kes' most memorable scenes as PE teacher Mr Sugden.
Acclaimed Barnsley author, Milly Johnson, was a part of the group who fundraised for the memorial statue, and spoke about why she wanted to get involved.
She said: "Barry Hines was kind of a beacon on my path because he was from Barnsley, he booked a trend. He couldn't write authentically about the south so he wrote about the north. I’ve always had a love for Barry because of his connection with the area."
Barry Hines' humble story of a bullied working class boy was the ideal material for the film.
Hines, who wrote the script himself, was 28 in the late 60s when he decided to write the story about what it was like to be a non-academic child in the north.
Mrs Johnson said: “It’s important that kids see that in that time in Barnsley you didn’t have a lot of choice if you weren’t very good at school. The school doors closed and the pit doors opened. It’s important that they see we have moved on in that way, that they do have some choice.”
The target for the statue was around £120,000 and Mrs Johnson said the money "flowed in" from all over the world from people who wanted to show their support.
Graham Ibbeson, the sculptor behind the memorial, also sold some small bronze maquettes for £5,000 to help raise the money, one of which Ms Johnson bought. Her name is also on the plinth.
Mrs Johnson's sense of connection to the story isn't unique.
Local resident, Gloria Hesford, said: "It's a symbol for us. I think that for older generations such as me, it reminds us about our growing up.”
David Forrest, 38, is a professor of film and television studies at The University of Sheffield and co-authored a book called "Barry Hines: Kes, Threads, and Beyond" with his colleague Sue Vice in 2018.
Speaking about this local connection, Mr Forrest said: “Folk in Barnsley will be able to feel that direct sense of recognition and representation. That’s quite a rare thing to see really, to see your community represented on screen, in a film that is regarded as a global classic of cinema.”
Kes' place in the history of British cinema
When Sight and Sound magazine released their list of the 100 best films on 1 December Kes was number 72 on the director's list but did not appear on the critic's list.
Mr Forrest said: “Kes is at the centre of some of the most innovative and poetic films about working class children making sense of the world across global cinema.
"It’s a real shame critical establishments didn’t recognise that but I think the audiences of Barnsley and beyond absolutely can and will.”
Kes is part of a tradition of realism in British cinema, with films such as Richardson's A Taste of Honey in 1961 and Reisz' Saturday night and Sunday morning from 1960 as other key examples.
These slice of life films deal with issues of class and youth and use documentary techniques, such as the casting of non-professional actors, to tell their story in a realistic way.
Loach is a key figure for these 'kitchen sink' dramas, with the work of contemporary British filmmakers such as Andrea Arnold, Lynne Ramsay, and Shane Meadows often compared to him by film critics.
Only two British films appeared on Sight and Sound's list, which Mr Forrest sees as a potential problem with the system.
He said: “We seem to have a problem with talking about films about working class people as cinematic. We need to start to celebrate this remarkable tradition of realist cinema in Britain. Kes is a fantastic example.”
Sheffield Cathedral says removal of climate awareness tree was a misunderstanding
Sheffield Cathedral has said the removal of a climate awareness entry into its Christmas Tree Week Festival was a misunderstanding.
Christian Climate Action Sheffield, the group responsible for the tree in question, decorated it with hand-made mock Shell logos and pound notes hanging from it, brandishing a "thank you" message from Shell.
The message behind the decoration was designed to highlight the Church of England's involvement in Shell's fossil fuel investments.
Sam Wakeling, who helped decorate the tree, said: "Over recent years, the Church of England has provided a lot of political value to a company that can’t find that kind of value in any other way.
"The idea behind it was to not bombard people with facts and figures and, instead, show a light-hearted view of a heavy subject."
The group claims the Church of England's decision to support Shell's transition strategy in 2021 provides the energy company with unwarranted validity.
The strategy has been widely criticised for its inability to enact real change in how the company operates.
Mr Wakeling added: “Fossil fuel companies can’t be trusted to be acting in good faith over the climate crisis because they’re fundamentally the ones causing it.
“As campaigners and members of the Church of England, we don’t accept what’s being done in our name.”
Only a few minutes after the initial tweet, however, another announcement was made saying Sheffield Cathedral had taken the tree down.
Ben Rossi, development manager at Sheffield Cathedral, who sees the festival as a way for the community to come together, said: "In the way it was portrayed, we felt it may not have been appropriate for a community festival."
After a discussion between both parties, the tree was then reinstated, with the Cathedral apologising on Twitter for taking it down in the first place.
Mr Rossi said: "The festival is open to everyone, it's a way to spark conversations.
"The church itself needs to be aware of environmental issues and have conversations about how we best to work so we can achieve our own climate goals."
The group welcomed this decision by the cathedral and sees it as a way forward for the Diocese of Sheffield to make its own climate commitment.
Mr Wakeling said: "We’re really grateful as a Christian climate action group that the cathedral would reconsider the removal and join the conversation."
How are Sheffield’s independent shops coping with the cost of living crisis this winter?
Independent business owners on Sheffield's Division Street have explained how they are navigating the cost of living crisis, in a bid to keep their shops afloat.
We visited the popular shopping quarter to find out how the ongoing economic situation has affected some of the smaller retail outlets.
Moonko: "The only option is to just keep going"
Moonko is an award-winning store which sells dried flowers and a range of handmade gifts from jewellery to soaps and kitchenware.
Owner, Deborah-Máire Moon, explained running her business has been a constant battle for years, but has been exasperated as shoppers tie their belts in a bid to make savings this winter.
She said: "I think I’ve been worried about my business since COVID, and even before then the high street had difficulties with unclear guidance around Brexit.
“It’s been a really turbulent few years for businesses across the country with the decision to leave the EU, the pandemic and now the cost of living crisis."
Despite these concerns, Deborah is determined to remain optimistic and is committed to keeping her business afloat.
"I think the way out is perseverance and to just keep going. If you love what you do, you have to keep working for it," she said.
"What other options do people have? If they close their business, they might still have debts to pay and they’ll be unemployed so they won’t have any income to pay the bills. The only option is to just keep going."
Deborah believes the power of the community and social media can help her businesses survive.
"I think we’re a really close community, and social media has been very important for telling stories and allowing people to be honest about their experiences," she said.
However, for Deborah the local community can only do so much. She explained: "You can do some things at a local level, but the real changes need to come from the government and those changes need to happen in terms of policy and in terms of certainty; politicians need to start being clearer about the guidance for small businesses in these situations.”
Preloved Kilo: "This whole thing has made people more conscious of local businesses"
Preloved Kilo are one of the fortunate independent stores, who have actually seen an increase in trade.
The store is the first of its kind in the city, offering tonnes of vintage stock, from 60's maxi dresses to retro sportswear, for £20 per kilogram. The shop has always been popular amongst students and fans of vintage fashion, but has now become a familiar outlet to many Sheffield residents who are seeking affordable clothing due to several increases in inflation.
Store Manager, Tom Smith, 32, said: "We’re modelled on sustainable and affordable clothing, so If anything, we’ve sort of benefitted from the crisis.
"More people are being cost conscious and we’ve now got customers who would normally buy brand new clothes coming to us to purchase effectively the same item but for a lower cost because it’s second hand.”
Tom believes that recent events including the cost of living crisis have made people more aware of how they spend their money, driving them to shop sustainably.
"It's a sad thing to be profiteering off other people's struggles, but it does mean that more people are being sustainability focused and environmentally conscious off the back of it," Tom said.
"It's not just that vintage is trendy, people are becoming more aware of the impact fast fashion has on the environment."
Staff at the shop have noticed a recent trend in shoppers ditching the conventional high street fashion outlets in favour of more affordable, ethically sourced products.
“The main shops that are going to be taking the hit are the more corporate-run retailers. I think this whole thing has made people a bit more conscious of local, independent businesses.
"Especially on Division Street, which is a real independent business hub for the city, we’ve noticed an increase in traffic and footfall.”
Tom has notice less people are going to shops in the Moor, including Primark and H&M, pointing out that they are charging significantly more for poorer quality products.
He said: "I feel like the cost of living has also created a sense of solidarity within the community as people are more conscious of the importance of supporting local businesses, especially at this time of year.
"People know to spend their money in our businesses rather than supporting big corporations that can easily ride through situations like this because they're sitting on millions of pounds.
“Many of us are terrified to even put the heating on so if shoppers can come here and get good quality coats and jumpers cheaper than on the high street, then why wouldn’t they?”
He also thinks that second-hand clothing stores in general are benefiting from rising inflation.
"I'd say the situation is pretty much the same for all second-hand clothing shops, especially on this street," he said.
“I can’t speak for everyone but I can say we’re all taking an uptake in footfall and I’m guessing in profits too."
Cowboy Boot Store: "Sales would be much higher if it wasn't for the cost of living"
The Cowboy Boot Store, located in Division Street's Rocky Horrors, specialises in high-quality, custom-made western boots, clothing and accessories, but the business believes rising inflation rates have had a detrimental impact on trading.
Manager, Joana Oliveira, 21, said: "We sell high-value products, I mean some of our cowboy boots are over £100, but not everybody has that disposable income, especially when you have to choose between heating your house and eating."
Joana explained although the business has seen an increase in sales, this is due to other efforts within the company and that if it wasn't for the cost of living crisis, sales would have been much higher.
"As a local business owner, you worry because people watch the news and see the situation is getting worse and then they're more reluctant to spend their money," Joana said.
Joana is realistic, though, and is cautious about what the future holds. She said: “There’s not a lot you can do, I mean we can make promotions but at the end of the day, this is a business and we need to be able to pay wages.
"This is a small, independent business, we’re not like the big corporations and the CEOs making millions in profit."
Joana believes apart from encouraging customers to share the business with friends and family, the business can't do much else without help from the government.
She said: "I don’t think our politicians are concerned about the people and they need to start taxing the big businesses because if they don't, then I can't see how it's going to get better."