Tigs: Couple behind Sheffield bakery and cafe announce closure 'with heavy hearts'

A popular two-site Sheffield cafe and bakery business is closing due to health issues and a long struggle with the cost of living crisis.

Tigs Bagel Deli on Abbeydale Road is closing on October 15, just nine months after it opened. Tigs coffee shop on Campo Lane is set to close in November, with the date to be confirmed.

In an online post, the couple behind the business, Tupelo and Dignity, said the decision had been made with ‘heavy hearts’.

They wrote: "With the highs comes the lows, we feel we have become so resilient and determined to tackle anything thrown our way, we feel this may have come at a personal detriment.

"Unfortunately there are certain things out of our control - a large factor of our closure is health, within a year of opening Tupelo was diagnosed with a neuroimmunological condition which has been incredibly hard to juggle alongside running a business, that then became two businesses. This has left us both incredibly burnt out, needing a reset and rest."

The Campo Lane Cafe opened in July 2021 and was famous for unusual and adventurous dishes such as Iced beetroot lattes, tofu egg mayo, with watercress and spring onions, French toast with Southern fried chick’n strips, maple cinnamon butter and maple syrup drizzle and tahini maple roasted carrots, lemon feta labneh, tabbouleh and roquito peppers.

But in April 2022, it warned prices would have to rise.

"We have kept our prices low in our infancy months (probably too low) but operating with the current socio-economic climate we have no choice but to recover the increasing prices on produce, energy, wares and staff costs," they explained.

Announcing the closure they wrote: "We also couldn’t not mention money. We certainly aren’t alone in the constant struggle adjusting to ever-rising costs and moving of goalposts. 

"It’s been a rough period for many in our industry, we are grateful for your continued support that has allowed us to move through these times. We know you’ll continue to support all the other great indies this city has to offer, because they won’t exist without you. 

"So with all that in mind, we are letting go of feelings of failure or giving up, and focusing on choosing what’s right for us as two human beings. Life is short and not always guaranteed, something we have both had to face head on recently."

Responding to the news Amber Teague wrote: "We are so sad, you have been our favourite cafe in Sheffield since we moved here two years ago. Best oat lattes and matchas in the city! You will be so missed by all."

Michelle Duck added: "Oh no, absolute gutted, only recently found you, but totally understand your reasons...Focus on your health and living well."

Lesley Cowley added: "Very sad but you can hold your heads up high best wishes."