The Rise, Fall and Regeneration of Sheffield's Economy

Why a Bus Tour of Sheffield ?

Industrial Mission in South Yorkshire works on behalf of all the Christian Churches, providing a link between the world of faith and the world of work.

We have struggled to understand and respond to the changes in the economy of Sheffield Works closures created mass unemployment in the 1980's and since then many organisations sought to create new employment and training opportunities. We have good working relationships with many of those organisations in the public and private sector.

The Bus Tour of Sheffield was created to pass on some of the insights we have developed and to bring others into the debate about how the economy might be transformed "to reflect the gospel values of love, justice and peace" - to quote our Mission Statement.

The Bus Tour has been found valuable and enjoyable by:

• Church and community groups concerned for the future of the city
• newcomers to the city seeking an introduction to its economic life
• visitors who are studying a particular aspect of church or community work and require a broad framework

The Bus Tour of Sheffield is conducted by a member of IMSY staff. The basic route can be revised to suit the particular interests of the participants.

The tour lasts about 1½ - 2 hours and is then followed by refreshments and a question and answer session

Groups can either:

• produce their own suitable vehicle and driver. For large groups a coach with P.A. System is necessary. The route can be supplied to the driver coach company in advance.
• ask IMSY to hire a minibus and driver

In either case the group are responsible for the hire fee. We ask groups to make a contribution to IMSY to cover the considerable cost of planning and constantly updating the tour.

For further details contact the IMSY office.

Sheffield - how could it be better?

Sheffield, as with all other cities, has been formed by its changing economy.

In the 19th century the city expanded rapidly as the growth of the steel industry brought tens of thousands of families from all over Britain. Air, water and housing conditions were usually bad - sometimes terrible.

In the 1980's rationalisation and technological changes decimated the steel and heavy engineering industries leading to mass unemployment and areas of semi dereliction. Driving over the M1 viaduct someone remarked "I see Sheffield has closed down"!

Now new buildings and facilities are springing up, particularly in the Lower Don Valley. New jobs are being created. But for whom?

The Industrial Mission Bus Tour visits the key sites which show Sheffield's past, present and future. It stimulates discussion about how economic change is managed and how the benefits should be shared.

From time to time IMSY organises an open tour.