Access for all in Sheffield city centre
Visiting Sheffield city centre should be a positive experience for everyone.
💫 Help getting around Sheffield city centre
💫 Accessible things to do in Sheffield city centre
💫 Accessible eating and drinking venues in Sheffield city centre
💫 Other accessibility support in Sheffield city centre
All information correct at time of publication. Please see individual venue websites for further details.
Help getting around Sheffield city centre 💫
“For users, Mobile Sheffield is the difference between sitting at home or having a great day out in the city centre.”
Sheffield BID’s scheme provides tri-walkers, pavement mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs for low-cost day hire in the city centre.
People can hire the equipment for any mobility issue, and for everything from Christmas shopping to attending an event.
Diane Jarvis, CEO of Sheffield BID, added: “The purpose of Mobile Sheffield is simple - it is all about inclusivity. It’s a big part of how welcoming the city centre feels to visitors, workers and locals alike.
“Although it is a small-scale initiative, it has a disproportionate impact on people’s livest. We do want to give it more focus in the future, because we know of the very real value it has.”
Mobile Sheffield will mark its tenth anniversary in July 2027 and it is understood to be one of the longest-running initiatives of its kind in the city centre.
The scheme works on a membership basis, and equipment must be pre-booked.
Hiring a walker is free, and other equipment costs from just £3.
Mobile Sheffield is located at Sheffield BID’s Visitor Welcome Hub on Surrey Street.
People with limited mobility, temporary injuries or disabilities use the service with a ‘meet and greet’ concierge element currently offered from the Q-Park car park on Charles Street or at the Arundel Gate bus interchange, if requested in advance.
Getting around the city centre can also be faster with Sheffield Connect.
This is a free, electric bus service running on two routes that connect to other public transport links, and popular destinations such as Sheffield City Hall or The Moor Market.
Accessible things to do in Sheffield city centre 💫
Sheffield Theatres, Tudor Square
The power of music is a big draw at the dementia-friendly tea dances held by Sheffield Theatres.
These popular, free events often sell out, and give participants the chance to dance, enjoy tea and cake, recall treasured memories and make new connections.
Sheffield Theatres also hosts a range of accessible or relaxed performances, including captioned, signed, audio described and sensory-adapted shows where the lighting and sound design is altered.
The Showroom, Paternoster Row
“For people with dementia, these films can be really comforting and spark connections too.”
Isobel Harrop, an assistant programmer at The Showroom, said the cinema’s dementia-friendly screenings make a tangible difference to those who attend.
These are just one part of the independent cinema’s strand of relaxed screenings and events.
Subtitled, autism-friendly and laid-back family time screenings - where lighting and sound is altered or people can move around - are also popular.
Isobel added: “All of these screenings are really impactful. There are different benefits for different groups and we are always hearing from families that they love the relaxed events.
“It gives people the freedom to enjoy a film experience in their own way.”
Isobel’s role includes choosing the films for events, based on advice from the Alzheimer’s Society. Staff are also Dementia Friend trained.
She added: “It’s always great to have people’s input into the films as well - we screened the James Bond film Goldfinger, which an audience member had suggested.
“We select the films really carefully to make sure they are suitable and something people will enjoy.
“For all of our events, we think about the community coming and what people will want to see. You get to know people through the events as well, which is lovely.”
The cinema is currently seeking feedback to shape its dementia-friendly experience and is always looking to evolve its strand of relaxed screenings. To get involved, email marketingdept@srws.org.uk.
For over 55s, the cinema also hosts Early Doors experiences on Monday and Thursday mornings including subtitles or an introduction to the film. Tickets cost £9, including coffee and cake.
See a full accessibility guide for The Showroom, including a video walkthrough, here.
National Emergency Services Museum, West Bar
Award-winning family destination, the National Emergency Services Museum, also hosts monthly sensory play sessions for all children under five.
Expect singing and plenty of hands-on activities to keep little ones entertained at these drop-in events.
Entry is free with any museum ticket.
The Light, The Moor
Screenings for people with autism or sensory needs regularly take place at The Light.
These relaxed, welcoming sessions include sound at a lower volume, dimmed lights, the removal of ads and trailers, plus guests can change seats or move if they wish.
Millennium Gallery and Winter Garden, Surrey Street
These neighbouring venues are both accessible to visitors with mobility issues and free to visit.
The Winter Garden is an indoor urban oasis, with paved paths and a flat layout around the 2,500 plants from around the world. There are also seating areas throughout.
You can travel directly into the Millennium Gallery from the gardens.
The gallery - home to the Sheffield Metalwork Collection and ever-changing exhibitions - also has wheelchair access, wheelchairs to hire, lifts and accessible toilets.
Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, and St Marie’s Cathedral, Norfolk Street
Discover centuries of history at Sheffield’s two cathedrals.
Listed venue Sheffield Cathedral has a hearing loop and is almost entirely accessible by wheelchair.
As well as being open to visit and personal reflection, the Cathedral offers a range of events throughout the year.
St Marie’s Cathedral, Norfolk Street, is fully accessible, with a hearing loop and bulletins available in larger print.
National Videogame Museum, Angel Street
Kids and grown-ups alike love this interactive museum dedicated to videogames.
The museum provides free ear defenders, step-free access, accessible toilets and ample seating.
Free carers’ tickets are also available and the Sunday afternoon sessions are recommended as quieter times to visit.
A new access group at the museum will be working on further improvements in the future.
Accessible eating and drinking venues in Sheffield city centre 💫
Please note, this is not a full list of all accessible venues in Sheffield city centre. This is a small selection of venues chosen for their accessibility features.
Cambridge Street Collective, Cambridge Street
Europe’s biggest purpose-built food hall is home to flavours from all over the world - from freshly made pasta to Palestinian suppers.
It also has a strong focus on accessibility.
The food hall is wheelchair accessible, has a lift to all floors, extra wide doorways, braille signage and Changing Places toilets, among other features.
Piccolinos, Millennium Square
This classic Italian restaurant and cocktail bar has stunning central views and an all-seasons heated terrace.
It is also wheelchair accessible and has accessible bathrooms.
Triple Point Brewery, Shoreham Street
Enjoy a pint made just steps away at an adjacent working brewery at this spacious, independent taproom.
There are 15 beer lines, plus vegan, gluten-free, specials and non-alcoholic options to try.
Unusually for a city centre pub, it also has an on-site car park and a lovely beer garden for the warmer months.
There is also step-free access, an accessible toilet and public transport links nearby, plus food available.
Caffè Nero, St Paul’s Place
Look out at the stunning Peace Gardens with a latte at this branch of the Italian coffee franchise.
It has level access on the ground floor, automatic doors and an accessible/ambulant toilet.
This central spot also has one of the latest openings of a city centre coffee shop, closing at 8.30pm most evenings.
Birdhouse Tea Bar and Kitchen, Sidney Street
A hidden gem, and a must-visit for any tea lover, Birdhouse is a roomy, contemporary venue with a large outdoors courtyard.
There is also level access to the ground floor, which has a tea shop selling their own blends and tables, plus a disabled toilet. On weekends, it is advisable to book a downstairs table.
Other accessible services in Sheffield city centre 💫
Changing Places toilets
Changing Places toilets have more features than disabled toilets to meet the needs of people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.
These include a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench and a track hoist system or mobile hoist.
There is also space in the changing area for the disabled person and up to two carers.
In Sheffield city centre you will find these at: Sheffield Theatres, The Moor Market, Sheffield Town Hall, Cambridge Street Collective and Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.
Sheffield Adult ADHD Peer Support Group, Broad Lane
There is a monthly in-person support group for adults with ADHD, or who think they may have ADHD, in Sheffield city centre.
It is run by volunteers at Sheffield Adult ADHD Peer Support Group and takes place at the Sheffield Walk-In Centre on Broad Lane.
You must register in advance to attend.
Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind, Mappin Street
One of Sheffield’s oldest charities, SRSB is a lifeline for thousands of visually impaired and hearing impaired people.
Their Sheffield city centre hub hosts regular events, training sessions and courses for clients as well as other activities across the region.
Accessible shopping guides for Sheffield city centre
The following stores provide detailed accessibility information online:
💫 Primark, The Moor
💫 Marks and Spencer, Fargate
💫 Leah’s Yard, Cambridge Street
💫 Juno Books, Chapel Walk
💫 Orchard Square Shopping Centre
💫 Next, The Moor
For more on businesses, shops and venues that offer accessible visitor experiences visit AccessAble.
We are not aware of any dedicated quiet hours for shoppers in Sheffield city centre, but some retailers advise visiting on a midweek morning to enjoy a calmer experience.
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