Sheffield

A festival dedicated to Sheffield’s independent coffee scene is launching this October

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 4th August 2026

Get ready for ‘Sip Fest’ - a new citywide celebration of coffee and café culture.

Taking place in sunny Sheffield from Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October 2026, Sip Fest will bring a full week of free citywide events alongside a major weekend at Trafalgar Warehouse.

Founded by Matt Cottrill of Steam Yard and Corner Store and Neil Midgley of Motore Cafe, you just know you're in good hands.

The festival programme is built around three parts, so let's break it down.

Images: The Sheff

From Monday 28 September to Sunday 4 October, Sip Fest will host a free citywide fringe, with events taking place across more than 40 coffee shops, cafés, bars, brunch spots, roasteries and spaces in Sheffield.

On Friday 2 October, Trafalgar Warehouse will host a free industry party for people working across coffee, hospitality, food, drink, events and the wider independent business community and on Saturday 3 October, Trafalgar Warehouse will become the main Sip Fest hub for a ticketed public event, split across morning and afternoon sessions.

The Saturday programme will feature more than 30 stalls, talks, tasters, freebies, Sheffield’s biggest latte art competition, Coffee School sessions, street food, DJs and the UK’s biggest coffee run.

The festival has been created to celebrate Sheffield’s independent coffee scene and the people behind it, and we're sure it's going to do just that.

Matt Cottrill said: “Sheffield has one of the most exciting independent coffee scenes in the country and we want to showcase this to the city and beyond.

“Sip Fest is about celebrating the places, people and energy that make Sheffield’s coffee culture what it is. We want it to feel like something people genuinely look forward to every year, with a sense of fun but also something meaningful behind it.”

Read more: ‘Silly sausages’ – Sheffield cafe pokes fun at clumsy burglars after break-in

Featured image - The Sheff


Sheffield

‘Silly sausages’ – Sheffield cafe pokes fun at clumsy burglars after break-in

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Sheffield cafe addresses 'silly sausages' who broke in

A cafe in Sheffield has addressed the burglars who broke into the business this week, in a surprisingly light-hearted statement.

Birdhouse Tea Co. seems to be looking on the bright side of the break-in, which saw the criminals make off with the staff's cash tip as well as some 'interesting choices from the bar'.

In a statement shared online, the beloved cafe described the burglary as bring like 'something out of Home Alone', describing the CCTV that caught one of the criminals falling through a mop bucket.

They also wrote that their choice of alcohol to steal - pink gin, Aperol, and Chambord - had them thinking they'd 'been robbed by Gemma Collins on her way to bottomless brunch'.

Birdhouse has passed the CCTV over to the police in the hopes that the crew will be caught, assuring followers that they have 'beautifully clear footage of all the silly sausages involved'.

Their full statement said: "Sadly, we were broken into last night, and they got away with the staff cash tips, along with some interesting choices from the bar

"Out of all the booze they could have taken, they left with Pink gin, Aperol and Chambord.

"If I hadn’t watched the CCTV footage (yes, you silly sausages… we have cameras inside and outside, so turning one around achieved absolutely nothing) of a bloke carrying them out, I’d have assumed we’d been robbed by Gemma Collins on her way to a bottomless brunch.

"Hope they enjoy drinking warm Aperol straight from the bottle. Some crimes really do punish themselves.

"Police have been informed, and we’ve handed over some beautifully clear footage of all the silly sausages involved, including the chap who pressed his face right up against the window while his mate tried to climb through another one by standing on a mop bucket which immediately collapsed under him it’s giving Harry & Marv from Home Alone tbh.

"Thankfully, there’s very little damage, so it’s business as usual today. And don’t worry, we’re professionals. We have emergency backup Aperol.

"Half price Aperol Spritz today with every vajazzle."

Read more: Sheffield’s beloved Baker’s Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site

Featured image: The Sheff

Sheffield

Plans to revive Sheffield’s Ski Village into major new leisure destination have been unveiled

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Plans are now advancing to transform the former ski village site at Parkwood Springs into a major new leisure development.

Skyline Enterprises is a New Zealand-based sector leader in adventure tourism, and they're now setting their sights on Sheffield.

A strategic framework how now been agreed upon with Sheffield City Council, establishing a shared plan to revive the long-derelict site, which sits one mile north of Sheffield city centre.

The proposed development would bring forward a landmark visitor destination for the city and be delivered in multiple phases.

The final mix of attractions is still being confirmed, the first phase would include Skyline’s signature gravity-fed downhill karting attraction (Luge), alongside a family playground, food and beverage offering, and the indoor attraction ‘Beat the Storm’.

A zipline and surf wave experience remain key elements of the site’s longer-term vision, while dry ski slopes are also being explored.

A public consultation is expected to launch in September, providing local residents the opportunity to learn more about the proposals and provide feedback ahead of planning application submission.

Geoff McDonald, CEO of Skyline Enterprises, said: “Sheffield is seen as the ideal city for our next UK development. Our adventure and experience brand aligns perfectly with Sheffield’s renowned ‘Outdoor City’ ethos.”

“We know that Parkwood Springs has been a challenging site to bring forward over the years, but with strong support from Sheffield City Council and an experienced project team on board, the pieces are now in place to deliver something truly special for the city. The scheme would enhance Sheffield’s visitor appeal, stimulate the local economy and create permanent jobs.”

Cllr Fran Belbin, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “Our plans to transform Parkwood Springs into a vibrant and thriving area of the city are continuing to move forward, and Skyline’s plans for the old Ski Village site remain a focal point of the work we are doing.”

“The site has had many false starts over the years, but I am now delighted to see the latest proposed details for their facility. Alongside the wider investment into Parkwood Springs, this project has the potential to create jobs, boost tourism and support economic growth, while providing a new attraction for residents and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”

Read more: Sheffield’s beloved Baker’s Yard is expanding its Kelham Island site

Featured image - Skyline Enterprises



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