Bistro bar opens in north Sheffield suburb - offering everything from cocktails and tapas to little ones' play
Bistro owners say venue brings something new which “no-one has done before”
A new bistro bar has opened up at the site of a former coffee drive-thru in a north Sheffield suburb - offering everything from cocktails and tapas to a sensory room for little ones and live music.
The Common Mill in Ecclesfield opened on April 14 - after a transformation including new bar and banquet seating, new kitchen and snug area.
Named after the water-powered industries in the area, the Common Mill replaces Frazer's Proper Coffee Drive Thru, whose owner announced it was closing earlier this year, siting a “327%” business rates increase.
New owner Laura Hollingsworth, who has removed the former drive-thru function but retained its car-parking, says it brings something “new” to the area which “no-one has done before”.
She added: “It’s family-orientated, we have a sensory room to allow people to entertain children and we offer ordinary restaurant food such as Sunday dinners but you can also have tapas or bottomless brunches.”
Speaking about a “very busy” opening day, Laura said: “A lot of people said they absolutely loved it - it’s somewhere local for people to come to.
“They like having a bar where you can have a gin or a wine and something to eat that’s not just a pub.” On opening day its loaded hashbrowns, halloumi honey holes and hot honey halloumi flew off the menu, said Laura.
As an independently-owned outlet the Mill also stock local produce such as Sheffield’s Smith Street Coffee, Moss Valley butchers and Locksley Gin.
Laura, who also owns nearby Burncross Kitchen, took on the former bank-come-drive-thru as she was “limited by size”.
As well as events such as baby showers or other private functions Common Mill already has several live music events lined up.
Laura added: “There’s nothing independent like this in the area, run by someone local, that caters for everyone.”