Vocation and Co "working closely with staff" as they explain shock closure of Sheffield city centre pub
“We’re now working closely with staff across the two venues, supporting them during these changes”
A Yorkshire brewery that announced the sudden closure of its Sheffield pubs has said they are “working closely with staff” as the company refocuses its business.
Vocation and Co Sheffield made the shock announcement on Friday, November 6, that it would be closing for good the very same day.
Located on Division Street, the pub had offered food and a variety of beers brewed from the Hebden Bridge-based Vocation and Co.
The same day, the brewery’s other pub in Halifax also closed, with them now focusing resources on their flagship bar in Hebden Bridge.
Explaining this change, a spokesperson for the brewery said: “The closures have been a difficult, carefully considered decision and will enable us to concentrate resources and investment on building on Vocation’s momentum during the past year.
“We’ve seen double-digit growth in sales volumes across pubs and bars nationwide, while also increasing our market share in shops and supermarkets, from approximately 3.8 per cent to 4.3 per cent. Focusing our efforts on these areas is a natural next step in driving long-term, scalable growth.
“We are incredibly grateful to our colleagues for their role in making these bars such popular venues, and for the contribution they’ve made to Vocation’s journey from a small brewery in an old chicken shed in the Yorkshire hills above Hebden Bridge to a nationally recognised beer brand.
“We also appreciate the valued role that pubs and bars play within local communities, and we are incredibly grateful to our customers and the communities in Sheffield and Halifax for the support they have shown us over the years.
“We’re now working closely with staff across the two venues, supporting them during these changes.”
The company explained that they hope this refocus will allow them to design and develop new beers more quickly.
They intend to invest in production capacity and new brewery tanks, with hopes that it will mean their selection is available in more pubs and supermarkets across the country.
The spokesperson continued: “Our plans are to expand our core range of premium beers and to make these available through even more places across the UK.
“Prioritising investment towards that expansion is an important part of this.”