Owners of bar on Sheffield's popular Ecclesall Road reveal upgrade plans as they prepare to welcome customers back

After leaving their jobs and putting “18 months of blood, sweat and tears” into their dream of starting a business, James Beech and Will Sykes finally saw it realised when they opened their bar, Society, on Ecclesall Road at the end of February last year.

The pair celebrated during the soft opening with friends and family on February 29, but were forced to close – with no idea of when they might reopen – just three weeks later when the first national lockdown was brought in.

"It was a big shock, it was hard. We were open three weeks after 18 months of blood, sweat and literally tears at some points. It was a big sucker punch,” said Will, 27.

While the closure came as a surprise, and plenty of people visited the bar during those first three weeks, James says the change in people’s attitude towards going out was “palpable.”

Society reopened to customers after the first lockdown in July and remained open until they were forced to close again in October; but introducing table service and social distancing at the bar – which ordinarily would have the capacity for 40 people – has been challenging.

These constraints have also meant that James and Will were forced to compromise with their vision for the bar, which they want to be experience-led, during the months they have been open.

But the pair are now looking forward to running the bar in the way they always intended when all coronavirus restrictions are lifted, which could happen from June 21, should the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown go to plan.

And they also cannot wait to welcome customers back for table service, which could be reintroduced from May 17, and will be upgrading one of the bar’s seating areas as well as the women’s bathroom in the intervening period in a bid to improve the customer experience.

Will said: “The whole concept of Society was to bring people together, and we want to create that sense of community. There’s such a close-knit vibe, it’s so friendly in there...it’s the sort of place where everyone would normally be stood up together.”

When Society first opened, they specialised in gin but will be focusing more on cocktails when they reopen.

28-year-old James explained: "People really loved our cocktails so we’ll be looking to do a range of cocktails. We’ll be experimenting with with flavours – nothing too out there – but hopefully they’ll be something people enjoy. They’ll be presented well too, it’ll be a very Instagrammable experience.”

Will and James say supporting Sheffield businesses, from the produce they use to their website designer, is a big part of Society’s ethos.

The pair said they chose a premises on Ecclesall Road because it’s Sheffield’s “premier” street for going and out; and hope Society’s location will encourage people to spend more time in the road’s middle section.

Society will be running a booking service when they reopen for table service, and will only accept walk-ins once all restrictions are lifted. Visit https://societybar.uk/ for more information.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.