The Inland Waterways have historically faced a number of challenges, and this remains as true today as ever.

Basically put, canals and towpaths need a lot of maintenance and in order to justify the expense, it needs to be shown that there are tangible benefits for individuals and groups within local communities.

The Sheffield Canal Company, or more correctly, 'this site', aims to provide an environment whereby local alliances may be formed, collectively sharing in our varied interests relating to the Sheffield Canal and collaboratively working with others, including Statutory authorities such as Sheffield City Council and British Waterways to proactively promote and showcase the broad range of economic and social benefits the canal and associated local resources bring to our community.

To focus the site - and the Company, it is intended to start building toward a series of celebrations, the first of which will be the 200th Anniversary of the forming of the Sheffield Canal Company, by Act of Parliament in 1815.  This leaves (at the time of writing) around 7 years to plan something :-)

The next, main celebration will be the 200th Anniversary of the Canal opening.  We have about 11 years to pull this together, and who knows, maybe with the right co-ordination and promotion, Sheffield City Council may feel it fitting to call a General Holiday.

We're sure that there will be lots of other events and activities along the way - and hope that the Company (alright, this site!) can help to promote and support allied activities.