How Sheffield United’s promotion to Premier League could boost the ongoing regeneration of city centre

The Blades secured a return to the top-flight of English football over the weekend after beating Ipswich Town 2-0 on Saturday and Leeds United only managing a draw against Aston Villa.

And, as work continues on the £500 million Heart of the City II development, Richard Eyre, head of city centre at Sheffield Council, said having Premier League football in Sheffield presented a ‘great opportunity’ for the city.

Mr Eyre said: “Given the location of Bramall Lane, it’s fantastic for the city centre particularly because the ground is probably only a mile away from the town hall.

“We are expecting bigger crowds at the United games of around 32,000 and maybe six or seven thousand away fans some of whom will stay overnight in our city centre or go for food and drink in our restaurants and bars.

“Even those who don’t stay overnight might spend a bit of cash in the city centre before or after the game.”

Finance experts predicted the club’s promotion could boost Sheffield’s economy by around £125 million and help to bring worldwide attention to the city.

The sum includes money spent by visitors as well as cash received by the club for getting into the top flight, such as TV rights.

Mr Eyre said that, coupled with the ongoing transformation of the Moor, Fargate masterplan and HSBC’s imminent move, the promotion could reap huge benefits for city centre businesses.

He said: “It’s going to be great for the city centre but wider than that the Sheffield brand being linked with the Premier League is huge.

“The Premier League is in the top few leagues in the world behind the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball so countries across the world will be looking at Sheffield.