Although there has been a human presence in the area now known as Sheffield since prehistoric times, the city itself traces its roots to Anglo-Saxon and Danish settlements in the 8th century. Following the Norman Conquest in 1066, Sheffield Castle was built to protect the growing city. By the late 13th century, a market was established in present-day Castle Square. During the 17th century English Civil War, the city would see itself under attack and its castle destroyed. Situated in South Yorkshire, Sheffield owes much of its development to industry and steel production.
Sheffield was a major centre for industrial change during the 19th century and the source of significant inventions, including stainless steel, silver-plated copper, crucible steel, and high-strength low-alloy steels. Coal mining was also a major economic driver in the area surrounding the city. The economy of Sheffield saw a major transformation over the past 20 years with the decline of iron and steel industries due to increased international competition during the 1970s and 1980s. Founded in 1805, the only remaining steel works in Sheffield is Forgemasters. The city is increasingly known as a centre for excellence in a number of sectors, according to the State of Sheffield 2013 Report. The city continues to be a centre for innovation in the advanced manufacturing sector, which is concentrated at the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Sheffield. The AMP is home to the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Castings Technology International (CTi), and The Welding Institute (TWI)
Much of the city’s economy is driven by small and medium sized enterprises, according to the State of Sheffield 2013 report. In 2012, an estimated 783,600 people worked in the Sheffield City Region, with 80 percent of workers employed in service sectors. The city’s largest employers include its two universities, the National Health Service (NHS), and national and local government agencies. An estimated 13 percent of Sheffield’s workers are employed in manufacturing, a figure that is higher than the national average. Other significant sources of employment include finance, business and technical services (16 percent), retail, food and drink serving sectors (15 percent), and the hospital and medical sector (10 percent). Major retail centres include The Moor, Fargate, Orchard Square and Devonshire Quarter in the city centre, as well as Meadowhall and Crystal Peaks shopping centres.
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