An independent beer shop that's been operating in Sheffield for more than a decade has announced its closure.
Beer Central has been keeping our city stocked with great beers from local breweries and beyond for years, operating a tiny shop at The Moor market.
While ownership switched last year, with Megan Lindop and Ross Lindsay taking over the reins from Sean Clarke, the heart of Beer Central was unchanged - proper northern beers, European bottles, and fantastic wines.
But now the pair have decided, after 'a lot of reflection and sleepless nights', to cease trading.
They wrote in a heartbreaking statement that it's been a 'genuine privilege' to run Beer Central, but that the reality of running a small business in the current economic climate has become too difficult.
Beer Central posted: "This decision has not been made lightly, and it carries a lot of sadness. What we will always be proud of is the community that formed around Beer Central."
Signing off this 'incredibly special' chapter, their statement finished: ""We may be closing, but the memories, friendships and community it created will stand everlasting. Thank you for being part of an institution."
Dozens of people have left messages of support for Beer Central, including Duration Brewing, who commented: "it’s just so tough out there. Sorry to hear and all the best for the future."
Beer Central has announced its closureBeer Central operates in The Moor market
Someone else posted: "This is so sad to hear. You were always my must visit place whenever I came to Sheffield. Will miss browsing the wonderful selection."
Another comment reads: "Gutted to read this. Always friendly staff and great selection of beers. All the best for the future x."
Beer Central's full statement reads: "This is one of the hardest things we've ever had to write.
"After a lot of reflection, sleepless nights, and some incredibly difficult decisions, we've had to accept that Beer Central has come to the end of its journey and will now cease trading.
"After continuing Sean's legacy back in September 2025, 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.
"Unfortunately, the reality of running a small independent business has become increasingly difficult, and a number of factors have brought us to a point where continuing is no longer possible. This decision has not been made lightly, and it carries a lot of sadness. What we will always be proud of is the community that formed around Beer Central.
"To staff - past and present - your contributions and hard work helped make Beer Central an institution. To our loyal customers who continued to buy from us and build those huge saves boxes with us - thank you. Your support means the world.
"To Sean - it was an honour to carry on something you worked so hard to build, that became so prominent in a thriving beer community, albeit for a short period of time.
"Beer Central has always been more than just a bottle shop. It's been a meeting place, a community hub, and a space where people who love great beer could come together. Being part of that has been incredibly special to us.
"We may be closing, but the memories, friendships and community it created will stand everlasting. Thank you for being part of an institution x."
We know it's not even the summer yet, but we're about to drop the C word, because a live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Sheffield this year.
An all-time classic, adored by children and adults alike, Disney's Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably one of the best seasonal watches of all time.
Set to be hosted right here in the city centre at one of the most magnificent entertainment venues, the much-loved, festive and musical will be celebrated in its true glory, courtesy of a full orchestra.
If you haven't tried a Disney Concerts experience before, this is an ideal opportunity.
Announcing a date at the Sheffield City Hall, The Muppets' twist on the legendary Charles Dickens tale, which will see the visuals brought to life with the backing of strings, brass, percussion - the whole shebang.
If you've ever been to see one of these 'live in concert' type shows, you'll know how magical they can make rewatching even something you've seen countless times before.
With Disney Music Group's regular troupe of touring players taking on the original score and well-known soundtrack, you won't be able to help but sing back every word.
Originally composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Little Shop of Horrors), along with songs by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams (Rainbow Connection and Evergreen), there's a reason the sound of this film, specifically, has stuck with so many people.
Just imagine this on the big screen as all the instruments kick in right then and there, in the flesh...
Sheffield’s top independent bookshops are putting on a big book festival this weekend
Daisy Jackson
A bunch of the top bookshops in Sheffield are banding together this weekend for a huge book festival.
The Sheffield Independent Book Festival (or SIBFest) will be a weekend designed for book lovers, with author talks, signings, workshops, reading rooms and more.
There'll even be a bookshop crawl encouraging people to visit Sheffield's many brilliant bookshops.
Different bookshops will be hosting their own fringe events on the first day of the festival, before loads of local businesses come together at Kelham Island for a full day of book-themed events.
SIBFest has been created by booksellers, for book lovers, with an aim to 'celebrate stories, and the shops and publishers who keep them alive'.
It's been created by the people behind local businesses like Novel (which is temporarily closed because of an issue where staff have been being harassed by a member of the public); and La Biblioteka at Leah's Yard.
Hillsborough Bookshop, a neighbourhood children's bookshop, and Juno Books, a queer independent bookshop, have also organised the event.
It will all be taking place at bookshops across the city, plus at The Victoria and The Mowbray at Kelham Island.
There'll be events at La Biblioteka at Leah's Yard for SIBFestNovel is also taking part in the Sheffield Independent Book Festival
Here, you'll find a marketplace for local bookshops and indie makers inside The Mowbray, while The Victoria will host all sorts of talks, workshops and signings.
There'll also be a Graphic Novel Reading Room, where you can relax with a good graphic novel upstairs at the Lodge at The Victoria.
And you can grab delicious food, cocktails and coffee throughout the day in both venues.
SIBFest (Sheffield Independent Book Festival) lineup
Confirmed speakers include:
Bethan Woollvin (These Are My Rocks, Robin Hood, Little Red, I Can Catch a Monster)
Steve Webb (Peng and Spanners, Spangles McNasty, Cow's Go Boo, Tanka Tanka Skunk)
Luke Barley (Ancient)
Hazel Sheffield (Frontierland)
Manya Wilkinson (Lublin, & Other Stories)
Michelle Tea (Valencia, Black Wave, Against Memoir, Little F with Cipher Press)
Kavitha Rao (Lady Doctors, Jacaranda Press)
Witches and Folklore author panel with Anna Caig (The Wise Witch of Orkney)
Molly Aitken (The Island Child and Bright, I Burn)
Sally O’Reilly (Hagtale)
SIBFest will be taking place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April across Sheffield - see the full line-up and book tickets HERE.