Sheffield Hallam University graduation generates £5.8m for city centre businesses

Students and their families attending Sheffield Hallam University graduation have generated £5.8m for city centre businesses, as three weeks of ceremonies draw to a close today.

The figure has been revealed as part of analysis which evaluates the economic impact of the University’s graduation on the local area.

This year’s double header of ceremonies saw 15,000 students from the Class of 2020 and 2021 graduating in front of 54,000 guests at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre.

Following a record breaking 53 ceremonies, it is estimated more than 75 per cent of graduates and their guests enjoyed a meal in Sheffield and approximately 40 per cent of families stayed a night in a local hotel.

The bumper graduation is due to the cancellation of ceremonies in 2020. Among those graduating were more than 2,000 healthcare students - including those who volunteered to join the NHS frontline in spring 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic.

Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “After the challenges of the last 18 months, it has been wonderful to celebrate our graduates’ success at Ponds Forge this November.

“The joy of our former students finally being able to celebrate their degrees with friends and family has created a wonderful atmosphere throughout the city centre. I am delighted that in addition to publicly marking our graduates’ success, our celebrations have also generated a significant economic boost for the city.”

Alongside the graduating students, Sheffield Hallam also awarded honorary doctorates to a number of notable industry figures. Sheffield-based author, Sunjeev Sahota, is among this year’s recipients.

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