Memory cafe plans move to new Covid-19 friendly space in Sheffield

Ruth Bartles is the director of Remember When Sheffield Ltd which first opened in August 2017 at Frecheville Sports and Social Club.

It had to close due to Covid-19 but has now submitted plans to Sheffield Council to move to Hutton Croft, Hackenthorpe, which was used by the Tenants and Residents Association.

In a statement with the plans, Ms Bartles said: “It is a memory and conversation cafe – we provide an ambiance and surroundings to spark memories and encourage conversation.

“We are open for everyone, although in particular we support people living with dementia and their carers and families.

"We actively encourage people who are becoming isolated (generally older people) to come to the cafe and we spend time having a chat and coffee with them, and under normal circumstances we would encourage single people to share a table, make friends and if suitable keep in touch.

“I had a couple of ladies who met in this way and then met together every Monday until we had to close because of Covid-19.”

She said councillor Karen McGowan suggested Hutton Croft as an ideal place for the cafe and it is already wheelchair accessible.

Ms Bartles added: “I think the residents, along with customers who previously enjoyed the old premises, will enjoy this new space.

“Before the pandemic I used to host singing and bingo afternoons, I intend to host a small-scale bingo afternoon each week until I can return to the normal events. I have proposed an addition of two sheds in the outside garden.

"Each of these would have a table and four chairs inside. These would be two very Covid-19-friendly spaces and would help to maintain business during the current pandemic.”

Proposed opening hours are Monday-Friday, 9am-4.30pm.

There is one objector who raised concern about parking, traffic and noise.

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