Back in December, it was reported that the owners of popular wizard-themed cafe Steel Cauldron were preparing to open a second venue in Sheffield city centre, however plans for the new Chapel Walk site have been put on hold due to a huge hike in energy bills and the rising cost of living.
The Broomhill café’s owners told Exposed that the magic of opening a second venue has for the time being worn off, thanks to a more than 500 per cent increase in energy bills at their Broomhill site.
Steel Cauldron’s owners Nikki and Rob Downham
Rob Downham, who owns the café with his partner Nikki, said: “Unfortunately, we have decided this week not to proceed. The current utility crisis is absolutely horrific for small businesses.
“After running the financials, the ability to make any profit, whilst paying nearly £4,000 per month (it was £600) for our gas and electric, means it isn’t viable right now.
“Nikki and I are already working 70+ hours per week, which is already very hard with young children, and for pretty much no pay. It all means we are having to focus on just surviving until the world comes to some normality.
“The announcement of the government support being withdrawn, something that never seemed to make its way down to the actual small businesses, means we just can’t risk a second venue.
“We will hopefully one day do something in the city centre but, alas, today is not that day!”
The proposes second venue was set to open in spring 2023 in the former home of Andrews Café Tea Rooms, which closed last year. Plans for the new, smaller site included utilising £50,000 from Sheffield City Council’s ReNew Fund, which was set up to help revive struggling areas of the city centre, including Chapel Walk and Fargate.
The original Steel Cauldron opened on Spooner Road, in Broomhill, in March 2020 and the magical venue has proved a big hit with kids and adults alike. As well as themed food and drinks, it runs meet the animal sessions and crafting and magic workshops for youngsters, with cocktail nights and live music for older visitors.
Go show them some love by checking out upcoming events on socials here.
