Popular wizard-themed cafe Steel Cauldron closes for good after sale falls through
Scores of people expressed dismay, with many saying “thanks for the magical memories”
A popular Sheffield cafe is closing after being overcome by “dark forces”.
The Steel Cauldron in Broomhill closed temporarily last week to allow the owners to finalise a sale.
But in an update yesterday they said the wizard-themed venue would not reopen stating: “Alas the dark forces have overcome us and it is with a heavy heart we will not be re-opening.”
The business, in Broomhill Shopping Centre, was opened by Robert and Nikki Downham in 2020.
In October last year they announced they were selling up.
Rob explained that the sale was now off.
He said: “Alas the new buyers failed to reach an agreement with the landlord and after nine months of trying eventually pulled out.”
Scores of people expressed dismay on its Facebook page, with many saying “thanks for the magical memories”.
In October last year Rob and Nikki said they wanted to take a step back as their kids grow up.
At the time, the couple wrote: “After over five enchanting years, we're beginning to think about what the future might hold - not just for us, but for The Steel Cauldron.
“Our kids are now teenagers doing GCSEs and A Levels and we need to support them more.”
In November 2023, bosses complained about the rooftop car park at the shopping centre, claiming customers fell foul of it “every day”.
At the time, the Excel Parking-run site was notorious for having hard-to-use machines, and payment app, and issuing demands for £100.
Rob told The Star the car park was a “contributory factor” to them wanting to sell up.
The shopping centre is set to be sold at auction on October 7.