Based in Norfolk Park overlooking one of Sheffield’s best views, the welcoming cafe Dukes in the Park offers visitors a scenic space to relax while enjoying a coffee and a sweet treat.
Friends of 30 years Kelsey Booth and Julie Collins tell Exposed they opened the cafe after a “turbulent” year and have built up a thriving customer base since.
As previous manager of the Rose Garden Café in Graves Park, Julie experienced a shock when the building was suddenly closed in July 2022 due to structural issues highlighted by a survey, giving staff and customers only 15 minutes of notice to leave the premises.
We thought, let’s go for it we’ll just see where it takes us.
Kelsey was also going through a difficult period in life after losing her father and struggling with job dissatisfaction. Feeling like a fresh challenge would help them regain some direction, the duo decided to take over the old Norfolk Heritage Park café when Sheffield City Council advertised it as looking for new owners.
Despite some initial concerns, the friends took the plunge. “We thought we’d give it a punt and we got it,” says Julie. “We came from such a terrible place over a year ago but these opportunities came out which we didn’t want to turn down. We thought, let’s go for it we’ll just see where it takes us.
“It has taken us 12 months to build up a steady trade and still people come into the cafe and say, ‘Oh my god, we didn’t know you were here’,” adds Julie.
“We are lucky to have him and we leave him to the menu. It’s great!”
Light and airy inside, with an abundance of outdoor seating available, the cafe offers the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing breakfast or Sunday lunch throughout the summer. The cafe’s constantly changing menu means that customers can expect a different experience with each visit. They also offer a wide range of baked goods for those who have a sweet tooth.
“Our chef Greg has been working in the industry since he was 16. He is properly trained and put himself through catering college. He has opened pubs and restaurants for various places,” says Julie. “He was the head chef at The Broadfield and opened up many pubs and restaurants. We are lucky to have him and we leave him to the menu. It’s great!”
The cafe has recently acquired an alcohol licence, and the friends hope to put on some evening events such as bistro nights in the future.
Continuing their momentum without any signs of slowing down, the friends are expanding their business by opening two new cafes, following the huge success of their Norfolk Park venture.
“We came from such a terrible place over a year ago but these opportunities came out which we didn’t want to turn down.”
Opening on 10th April, Dukes on the Green will be located in Concord Park Golf Club. They’ll be serving up the usual mix of superb coffee and sweet bites, alongside a tasty revamp of the food offering at the venue.
Julie and Kelsey have also decided to take on the challenge of restoring the Rose Garden Cafe and running it on a short-term basis. “It deserves to be open and it deserves to look spectacular,” says Julie. “I have a longstanding connection to the café and we’re really excited to return it to the community.”
Due to current constraints with the space, The Rose Garden Cafe will be takeaway services only but they are working closely with The Rose Garden Partnership to ensure it achieves its potential and also offer a few exciting tweaks to the space. Keep ‘em peeled!
