Sheffield parks: Gypsy’s Brew catering van to leave Bole Hills Park, Crookes

But Bianca and Rhiannon Silcock-Randle, and their Gypsy’s Brew catering van, are leaving their pitch at Bole Hills Park in Crookes after struggling to make it pay.

The couple, who were neighbours who met during the pandemic, said they had been struggling to keep the business going and say footfall in the park has dropped – leading to a campaign locally to raise money to help them keep going.

The campaign is still continuing to help them raise capital to stay afloat – but they are now looking at attending events rather than having a permanent base at the park

Rhiannon said: “We launched Gypsy’s Brew one year ago with the sole aim to create a magical, plant-based beacon of good vibes in our beloved community and to follow our dreams to create a family business.

"Since setting up we have had the best time immersing ourselves in the Crookes fold and have been so welcomed. We have had the most beautiful feedback with customers telling us we provide more than just coffee and cakes and that we are a safe and welcoming space to unwind, chat and while away some time.

"Our journey so far has been full of highs and lows with bustling sunny days and cosy winters scenes matched with high force gales and snow causing us to keep our vintage van closed and snuggled up.

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"Unfortunately it is more than the weather we are battling lately. Footfall in our beloved park has dropped significantly, likely due to past postponed plans finally coming to fruition post pandemic and the cost of living crisis having us all feeling the pinch."

She said they understood they were not the only business hit by the same problems, and others had been hit financially, but they were a new business with no financial cushion.

Bianca said they met with Sheffield Council yesterday and told the authority they would not be continuing with their tender for the site, which they had been operating on a 12-month trial basis.

She said the council had been very flexible, but she and Rhiannon had to think of themselves financially. The council offered them a different location within the park, rather than at the gates where the van had been located, an offer the couple were grateful for.

But she said they were now looking to take Gypsy’s Brew to events. They already have bookings including Peak Ender at Thornbridge in Derbyshire, Rex at Kelham Island, and Dance in the Garden at the Botanical Gardens.

Email info.gypsysbrew.gmail.com for bookings.

The crowdfunding website was set up to raise money to keep the van going, set up initially by a regular customer.

They are hoping to raise money which they say would help them pay off some of their original set-up costs. Any more that is raised would go towards reconfiguring the interior of Amelie – their van – to include a bar which would offer them more versatility and enable them to use it for events such as weddings and festivals.

Log onto https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-gypsys-brew-get-through to donate.

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