Award winning 1554 Coffee and Gift Shop opens new web shop

10th March 2021

1554 Coffee and Gift Shop is a small social enterprise initiative which has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19. Thanks to a business support grant from Sheffield City Region the shop is fighting back and has opened a new web shop to help it survive.

You are always certain of a warm welcome at award winning 1554 Coffee and Gift Shop. In 2020, this small independent eatery followed up securing the ‘Best Café / Light Bite’ award in the Westside ‘Restaurant of the Year’ Awards for three years running by winning Sheffield City Centre’s Retail Award for ‘Best Customer Service’. That’s why being closed for nearly 12 months has been particularly tough on this social enterprise which operates from within Sheffield Cathedral, one of the city’s favourite landmarks.  

“It’s ironic and very sad at the same time” said Ruth Maher, Enterprise Business Manager at Sheffield Cathedral. “Last year we won an award which recognised our commitment to excellent customer service and then we ended up being closed! We’ve had to say goodbye to several valued staff and volunteers.”

The impact of Covid-19 has been devastating on 1554 and put the future of the coffee and gift shop in real doubt. The hope is a new web shop will generate vitally needed income and help to the keep this popular coffee and gift shop going until it can welcome customers again.

“It’s definitely been a struggle” Ruth added. “We’re like a big family. We rely on our customers and our customers rely on us. We miss everybody so much. A few have been in contact to say they’re crossing the days off on their calendar until they can visit us again!”

1554’s new web shop has been made possible through a business support grant from Sheffield City Region. The funding was aimed at helping small and medium sized enterprises recover from Covid-19 and build their business up again. 

“It’s was all new to me. It’s definitely been a challenge, but the end product is well worth it. I hope everyone likes it and it brings new customers in to see us” added Ruth. 

The coffee and gift shop is also known for supporting local business through championing Yorkshire’s suppliers, producers and creative industries and has teamed up with Heavenly Coffee to offer the Heavenly at Home range of coffee, teas and biscuits.

To visit the new 1554 Coffee and Gift Shop website go to www.1554.co.uk