“The cafe is seen as more than just a place to have a cup of tea”

A popular Sheffield park cafe needs a new operator for the first time in 20 years.

Henry’s in Firth Park is being advertised by Sheffield City Council’s Parks and Countryside department.

Henry's Cafe in Firth Park needs a new operator. | SCC

placeholder image — Henry's Cafe in Firth Park needs a new operator. | SCC

It says the new tenant will have to pay rent and a service charge.

It comes after the authority extended the lease of current occupier, Hilary Dawtry, to next year.

Ms Dawtry said the cafe would now stay open until June and thanked customers for supporting her campaign to stay there.

She wrote: “When the news first broke, so many of you wrote to the council, shared posts, sent messages, and told us how much Henry’s means to you all.

“We felt every bit of that love and support, and we’re incredibly grateful.

“We also want to thank the council for listening to the voices of our community and understanding how important it was for us to reach this special milestone.

“So, the kettle stays on a little longer and even Christmas dinners will be booked.

“Here’s to many more breakfasts, brews, chats, and memories as we celebrate our 20th year together.”

In a Facebook post, Sheffield Council’s Parks and Countryside department wrote: “We've relisted the tender opportunity for the cafe at Firth Park following agreement of a revised timescale with the current provider Henry's Cafe’.”

In 2024, a council report stated: “The cafe is seen as more than just a place to have a cup of tea. It is a community cafe in the truest sense and brings much-added value, acting as an anchor for the various groups working in that area to come together to meet and socialise.”

The letting brochure states Firth Park is a historic, Green Flag, 36-acre gifted to the city in 1875 by industrialist Mark Firth.

It was officially opened on August 16, 1875, by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The café is within the First Start Centre at the junction of Hucklow Road and Firth Park Road. It includes an external seating area looking out onto the park.