Sheffield

Public transport across South Yorkshire to be rebranded as the South Yorkshire People’s Network

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 16th March 2026

A new brand has been revealed for public transport in South Yorkshire.

Not only will it receive the swanky new name, but the network will also be accompanied by a rather eye-catching colour scheme that will be applied to buses and trams across the region.

That's right - bright orange.

The revamp is all part of a whopping £1.5bn investment into transport across the region that will see the tram network renewed and buses brought under public control.

South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "I promised to make change happen, to give South Yorkshire back the world class public transport system we once had, and that's exactly what we're doing.

"That's why we're putting in a huge investment to fix our public transport system, backed by even greater ambition, so that we can build something that truly works for all of us across South Yorkshire; a real People's Network."

The new name will appear across the region on bus stops, tram staff uniforms and more. It will operate like the Bee Network over in Manchester.

Transport bosses sat the colours of orange, grey and black were chosen because they speak to the region's history of "industry, Northern grit, and resilience".

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership said: "Alongside major investments like Northern Powerhouse Rail to Sheffield from Manchester and Leeds as well as critically a new station in Rotherham, improving connectivity within South Yorkshire and connecting it better to the rest of the North will change lives here for decades to come."

And it's not just all about the rebranding, as the mayor has also promised a long list of transport improvements including the imminent opening of a new tram-train stop in Rotherham, extensions to the tram network and free travel for all under-18s across South Yorkshire by summer 2027.

Read more: Sheffield has been named one of the UK’s top ‘pub culture’ hotspots

Featured image - SYMCA

Sheffield

Sheffield has been named one of the UK’s top ‘pub culture’ hotspots

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

New research has revealed which UK towns and cities are home to the best pub culture, and it’s no surprise that Sheffield's made the cut.

With St Patrick’s Day merely days away at this point and summer also firmly on the horizon, it’s about to be a big time for British pubs and the humble beer garden – but which towns and cities across the UK have the best ‘pub culture’ there is to offer? Where are you guaranteed a top-tier night out or day drinking session?

Well, in a bid to get to the bottom of that, the travel experts over at Big House Experience decided to do some important research.

By analysing thousands of data points across every UK postal town area, researchers created a comprehensive index awarding each location a ‘Pub Culture Score’ out of 100.

Image: The Sheff

And Sheffield secured a coveted place in the top ten.

Coming in at a very respectable number seven, scoring a ‘Pub Culture Score’ of 90.7, which is pretty impressive if you ask us, and is certainly an ode to the wide – and ever-growing – variety of watering holes, both new and historic, that we have dotted all over the city.

Other northern cities claiming a spot in the top 10 include Newcastle at six, and Manchester at four, while out of top 10 is where you’ll find Ripon and Chester, while other major UK cities like London, Glasgow, and Cardiff are all, unsurprisingly, featured too.


The UK’s Top 10 ‘Pub Culture’ Cities

  1. Bristol – 100
  2. Edinburgh – 99.5
  3. Birmingham – 96.9
  4. Manchester – 96.1
  5. Reading – 94.2
  6. Newcastle – 94
  7. Sheffield – 90.7
  8. Glasgow – 89.3
  9. London – 87.5
  10. Chelmsford – 82.3

When it comes to the number one spot though, that title goes to Bristol, as the West Country city scored full marks thanks to offering a total of 1,211 pubs across the entire postal area – which is the equivalent of almost 25 pubs per 10,000 people.

Following closely behind is the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, with a near-perfect score of 99.5, and Birmingham claims third place with a score of 96.9.

Do you agree with this list then? What other cities would you chuck into the mix? You can see the full research here.

Read more: Beloved Sheffield beer shop announces closure with heartbreaking statement

Featured image - The Sheff

Sheffield

Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure becomes chairman of Sheffield FC

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Reverend and the Makers frontman Jon McClure has officially been confirmed as the new chairman of the oldest football team in the world, Sheffield FC.

He might be a die-hard Wednesday fan, but given the turbulence his lifelong club have been through over the past couple of years, maybe this is the start of a new love affair.

Sheffield FC had teased that important news was coming soon earlier this month, simply writing on socials: "Not long until we can tell all. We’ve been sitting on something big."

As it turns out, the news is that one of the Steel City's most famous and beloved sons is now part of the club's new ownership structure. McClure quickly took to social media to help join in with the announcement as well.

The veteran indie frontman and Day Fever co-founder has continued to branch out from solely music-related ventures, having gone into business not only with multiple names for the smash hit afternoon-into-early evening music festival, but also joining forces with a fellow Sheffielder.

Since November of last year, Jon's has often appeared alongside his brother Chris, who plays the comedy character of 'Steve Bracknall' on the Game's Gone podcast.

A bit like Yorkshire's answer to Alan Partridge, there remains a sporting throughline in pretty much all of the 44-year-old's career at the moment - now so more than ever.

Speaking online, McClure said: "What am I doing at the world’s oldest football club, you ask? Well, meet the new chairman of Sheffield FC.

"Our vision is that we honour the club’s roots and pay homage to its incredible history, whilst restoring it to its former glory." He's already been making his presence known around their home ground.

While some are still looking for updates on the plans to bring the historic outfit back closer to Sheffield proper - the non-league club currently playing at The Home of Football Stadium in Dronfield, Derbyshire - this fresh start for the now oft-neglected native minnows has still sparked some excitement.

At present, 'The Ancients' are in the process of developing a new 5,000-seater arena at the old Sheffield Transport Sports Club site in Meadowhead, which was initially slated to open this year.

But as for the musician, he went on to add that "There’s a lot to be done, but we’re ready to get stuck in and give Sheffield FC the love it deserves"; McClure and co. have dubbed this "a new chapter" for "the first in the world", and the update will no doubt bring some fresh hope to the organisation.

What do you make of the announcement, and is a local figure like Reverend and the Makers' Jon McClure the right person to help take over this community cornerstone and national institution?

Read more:

Featured Images — Sheffield FC/Reverend and the Makers

More Sheffield

Sheffield

Iconic Sheffield music venue The Leadmill launches Crowdfunder to secure a permanent new space

Sheffield

Five of the best new openings to come out of Sheffield so far this year

Sheffield

Inside Drop Bear – the new Aussie coffee shop that’s just opened in Sheffield city centre