Sheffield neighbourhood named among coolest in UK

What makes a modern suburb trendy? Lots of places to eat and drink, perhaps? A youthful and vibrant population? Are live music venues and good leisure facilities a must?

After Crookes, in the west of Sheffield, was named the sixth coolest neighbourhood in the UK by Time Out magazine, the BBC spoke to people in the area to find out what they think makes the area so great.

Popular with students and young families, Crookes was described by Time Out as "not flashy or fussy" but packing "a lot of punch for its size."

Its offering of restaurants, cafes and bars was part of the rationale, while residents and business owners said the neighbourhood's independent style and tight-knit community are what make it so "cool".

Maurice Champeau has run the Crookes Social Club, a venue that regularly hosts gigs and events, for 15 years.

"I'm not really surprised to be honest with you because we've got a cracking little community in Crookes," he says when asked about the ranking.

"We recognise each other's faces. It's almost a village within the city," he added.

While the Mulehouse Road venue is a longstanding feature of the neighbourhood, serving as a working men's club from 1919, the high street has changed over the last decade.

Cloud Coffee is a speciality coffee shop that moved into the area in 2023.

"We wouldn't be anywhere else in the city. We love it up here," owner Connor Sadler said.

"Best neighbourhood on earth, isn't it? Can't believe we only finished sixth," the 27-year-old added.

Time Out magazine's Daniel Wray, who himself lives in the Norfolk Park area of Sheffield, says Crookes has become a "food and drink" hotspot.

"I've just noticed over the last few years every time I go there there seems to be something new there - a cafe or a bakery," he explains.

"It's quite understated and quiet, it's not that flashy. For such a concentrated area there's loads going on."

Ellie Gillis, 26, is a manager at the Punch Bowl pub. She recognises that Crookes has changed over the last few years.

"It's not always had the coolest of reputations," she said.

"People come in here and say this used to be so dodgy, but everything's changed.

"It's gone from being somewhere where it was maybe just students and older people to somewhere where there are all walks of life."

Deborah Clarke, 63, who is catching up with her friend Wendy Hueue on a walk down the busy high street, has also seen the transformation.

"I lived here all my life and it's completely changed for the better," she says.

"It has come up in the world, hasn't it?"

University of Sheffield student Georgia Wilson, 21, moved to the area in July, enticed by its "funky" cafes and busy atmosphere.

For Georgia, Crookes' coolness can be attributed to students.

"I think Sheffield Uni itself attracts a cool student population, it's gonna have to be a bit cool because everyone here's cool," she says.

For others, its the sense of community that makes them value the neighbourhood.

"We've got so many lovely shops, we've got a wonderful high street but I think what's also really important is how socially-minded lots of shops and independent businesses are," Crookes and Crosspool councillor Minesh Parekh says.

Luke Williams, who runs Williams and Co estate agency, says property prices in the area have "increased astronomically" over the last decade.

"The last property we sold in Crookes was viewed 35 times and sold for £30,000 over the asking price," he says. "The demand is there."

"I think it's an area where you have the best of both worlds. It's a buzzy area with a really nice community feel, but within five or 10 minutes you can be out in the Peak District.

"It's got good proximity to schools, hospitals and the universities."

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