An independent craft beer shop has announced its closure after over a decade of trading in the Moor Market.
Beer Central has been providing Sheffield with beers from local breweries since its opening with the Moor Market in 2013.
While ownership changed hands last year from Sean Clarke to Megan Lindop and Ross Lindsay, the heart of Beer Central remained the same with the selling of Northern beers, European bottles, and wines.
But they have now decided to stop trading, which they announced in a statement online, saying it took ‘a lot of reflection and sleepless nights’ to come to the decision.
The statement said: “We have been truly honoured to be part of such an incredible beer community in Sheffield. Being trusted with a place that meant so much to so many has been a genuine privilege, and something we will always be proud of.”
An outpouring of support for the shop has been shown on social media, including from other beer shops and brewers.
Emmanuales, a Sheffield-based microbrewery, said: “Beer Central was my second ever customer. So much of my own beer journey has been underpinned by Beer Central – bottle shares, saves, new friends made. I’m really gutted it has come to an end.”
The closure of Beer Central is part of a growing trend of closures to independent businesses across the country, as costs such as increased business rates and people opting to shop online instead have made it difficult for small businesses to operate.
Ms Lindop said: “Covid has been a huge factor, once everyone realised that they could buy online, they didn’t feel they needed to leave the house and go to physical stores anymore.”
She also talked of the importance of local businesses and the community that places such as pubs as a ‘third space’ are crucial for building a community.
Tim Fleming said: “You need a mixture of businesses, you don’t just want the national chains, because everybody can get that down at the mega hall!”
Beer Central will officially stop trading on Wednesday 18 March.
