June 2026. Sheffield.
Let the record show that I spent last Tuesday afternoon with Mrs RM at Meadowhall Shopping Centre, and spent nothing.
There is nothing I want to buy now I’ve bought my annual pair of Riekes, though I’ll happily received Mrs RM’s discarded phone when she upgrades.
I like the surveying part of my occasional visits to Meadowhall, which seems bright and busy despite all the gloom and doom about retail. It’s not a place to eat and drink, though, the food court full of the fast declining American chains and a lone Spoons.
Meanwhile, central Sheffield gives up on shopping and focuses on food courts, beer and lions. There’s a lion under that plastic.
Having paid £4.20 for a tram day ticket, I popped back into town late that day to take a peep at West Street, which I can tell you is rather less appealing once law-abiding local resiedents like Sheffield Hatter are safely in bed round the corner.
Inexplicably, I found myself in the Vocation & Co bar listening to live music at 10pm.
Since it opened back in 2023, just about when CAMRA turned up for their AGM to discuss something or other important, I’ve been back in with fellow tickers for daft ABV beers and their excellent burgers.
My first pint of cask (forget what) was a classic NBSS 1.5, not actually undrinkable but you wouldn’t want to drink it.
Definitely returnable, and I committed the cardinal sin of saying “Would you taste that. It doesn’t taste quite right”.
Everyone knows you’re supposed to say “Ahem, I’m so sorry to be a pain, but it’s possible it may be the end of the barrel“.
“It’s borderline” says the barman (it’s not), pouring me a pint of Heart & Soul which is superb. AND he turned the pump round.
Perhaps he meant the acoustic act was attempting that tricky 1984 Madonna hit.
But it definitely sounded like “Fast Car.
retiredmartin 