Sheffield-based drinks retailer Beer Central, a much-loved institution located in the Moor Market, has officially changed hands. After ten years of running the shop, owners Sean Clarke and Deborah Jackson have stepped down, handing the reins over to the team behind Scotland-based Krafty Fine Drinks.
However, the new owners, Ross and Megan, who met in the Steel City before opening their first premises in Kirkcaldy, are keen to reassure loyal customers that Beer Central’s main ethos and offer will remain the same. “It’s very much a case of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’,” Megan told Exposed. “Sean’s legacy is important to the city, and we want to carry that forward.”
Store manager Gavin, who has over a decade of experience working in Sheffield’s brewing scene, including stints at prominent local breweries like Steel City Brewing and Lost Industry, shares the same sentiment. Reflecting on his connection to Beer Central he added: “I’ve been in the industry for years, and Beer Central has always been a special place. It’s where I really started learning about beer. A lot of people I met in the industry today, I met through the shop’s bottle shares.”
Many of the beloved aspects of Beer Central – the local deliveries, beer subscription boxes and Christmas keg offers – will continue under the new management team. In addition, they plan to revive the monthly bottle shares, an event where beer enthusiasts gather to taste and discuss various brews. Gavin explained: “We’ll keep the tradition of bottle shares alive, but no supermarket beers allowed! We want people to experience new, unique brews they wouldn’t typically find on shelves.”
While much of Beer Central’s operations will stay the same, including the name, the new owners are excited to introduce some fresh offerings, particularly an emphasis on showcasing Scottish breweries. Megan noted: “We want to bring more of Scotland down to Sheffield. There are some fantastic breweries up there, and we believe Sheffield beer lovers will appreciate what they have to offer.”
Krafty Fine Drinks, based in Kirkcaldy, Scotland, started as a bottle shop before expanding into a taproom. Ross and Megan are based in Scotland, while Gavin will manage day-to-day operations in Sheffield. Megan emphasised their strong ties to the city: “We might be based up north, but we’re firmly attached to Sheffield; I’m very proud to be from here and we’re excited to be a part of its thriving beer community.”
The Beer Central team have big plans for the future, including collaborating with other local businesses and becoming more involved in community events such as beer tastings and Sheffield Beer Week. “We’re looking forward to building on the great work Sean did and bringing in some exciting new projects,” added Megan.
As the transition occurs, customers can expect the shop to maintain its usual business hours and wide selection of craft beers, real ales and ciders on the shelves, with the team there to greet them from Monday to Saturday. “We’re ready to hit the ground running and are looking forward to welcoming people in,” said Gavin.
You can pop in to see the new team at The Moor Market on Monday-Saturday, 8:30am-5:30pm. Follow @beercentralsheff for further updates.
