Best Cafe in Sheffield for Sale

What a golden opportunity! This business has been with the current owner for the last 13 years and he has built it up to be No 1 for cafes and in the top 15 for restaurants in Sheffield. It’s renowned reputation, not only amongst locals, but also customers visiting from York, Leeds,  Manchester and further afield who pay a visit and sample the food, drinks and service Howst has to offer. Profitable and ready to operate, with potential to increase revenue even further, do not let this opportunity slip by.

Howst was founded by the current owner when he identified the “best location in Sheffield” The business has been a real labour of love and considerable money was spent over the years setting and ensuring that his business is one of the best in Sheffield.

The business is now being sold, albeit reluctantly and after much soul searching only due to personal circumstances. The vendor is keen to see his beloved daytime restaurant pass to an ambitious and entrepreneurial new owner(s) who can take this already thriving business to the next level.

Howst already enjoys an excellent reputation and has an impressive number of regular customers many of whom are known on a first name basis by the owner and staff alike,  who are popular and well respected members  of the local community.

For customers looking for some Aussie inspired vibes, creative influences from the current owner, exceptional coffee, all freshly made, with a great atmosphere, relaxing decor, quality service in a clean environment Howst is the place to visit and watch the world go by in Sheffield’s No1 Cafe (Tripadvisor)

The business serves ever evolving food that is freshly prepared on the premises using seasonal and local ingredients wherever possible. Customers can choose to eat out as well.

The business holds an alcohol licence

The menu is brunch biased, with influences from Australia and includes:

Hot and cold drinks (coffee from Forge Coffee roasters)

Breakfasts, traditional, vegan and  vegetarian, served all day

Amazing loaded bagels

Next level toasties

Unique meals only found at Howst

Skillet pans, a massive seller

Delicious homemade Cakes

Smoothies

Milkshakes with delux versions

Brunches & Lunches

Gluten Free & Vegetarian 

The business is happy to serve guests from its normal menu or they can create an individual catering solution to individual requirements, as everything is made fresh to order.

The business is dog friendly!

The sale will also include the company website (howst.co.uk) and Insta pages, along with the Limited Company if required which was formed in 2009.

Amazing online visibility and envied reviews which make Howst the Number 1 Cafe in Sheffield and also resides in the top 15 restaurants in Sheffield such as:

“5 stars all round!

Had breakfast here this morning and was blown away - everything about the experience was 5 star! Can’t recommend enough!”

“Can't fault

5/5 on service, staff approach, atmosphere, cleanliness and food. Food was so good, prices seemed reasonable for the quality for sure.”

“Exceptional service, great food, minutes from train station.

Very convenient from the station, walked in to friendly welcome and fabulous smell of pure coffee. Level of service throughout was exemplary, seated, given water without asking (which was topped up without asking), food was freshly cooked, beautifully presented and generously portioned.

I had the Izo, small cubes of pan fried chorizo with creamy mushrooms and cherry tomatoes, topped with two poached eggs crowned with green pesto and pea shoots, on toast. Very tasty.

My friend had the Beni, a stack of grilled smoked back bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise on toast, he wolfed it down and thought it delicious. 

We both felt that the food, service and value were exceptional. Highly recommended.”

And many many more on Tripadvisor and Google

Scope to improve

Open to 7 days week (on current turnover, this could immediately add an extra £95k per year)

Open longer hours into the evening, catch customers going home via the station

Offer a pre-theatre meal deal

Advertising and marketing campaign

Introduce a delivery service which would have a significant effect on turnover

Special food evenings

Explore the possibility of operating a set menu pick up/delivery for local business

Reasons to Buy

A well established business with an enviable reputation and many existing and repeating customers who are known by name.

Good running costs that do not dent the wallet 

Current owner happy to offer any support required

Prime trading position in this popular and salubrious area of Sheffield

Ideal for an existing business looking to expand a 2nd or 3rd business with an absolute prime location, an owner managed or partnership business

Ideal for an ambitious chef looking for their first foray into self employment

The sale will include all fixtures, fittings and kitchen equipment, most fridges are less than 3 years old (the coffee machine & grinder are currently used on the basis of using some of the best coffee in sheffield from Forge so that would need to be maintained to continue using the machine) along with all cooking utensils, Crockery, cutlery and glasses etc. The vendor estimates the assets to be in the region of £18,000 making this a turnkey business opportunity for a lucky new owner.

Very rarely do daytime restaurants of this caliber come to the open market so early enquiry is highly recommended. This amazing turnkey business is likely to attract considerable interest.

Location

Howst occupies a prime position on the “golden walkway” from the railway station into the city centre in a pedestrian thoroughfare and is beautifully presented and maintained with clear visible signage and distinctive, vibrant, green & white livery and generous external seating areas. There is on street parking just behind the business &  local multi story car parks 5 minute walk away.

Not only a fantastic catchment area for customers visiting the city, Howst is also surrounded by many local businesses, the many Hallam University buildings and is extremely local to the Lyceum theatre and the Crucible theatre which hosts the world snooker championships every year. All this, along with many regular customers who visit daily and weekly, create a wonderful location for entertaining.

Premises

The business occupies a ground floor premises ideally suited with an open kitchen, indoor seating area consisting of 12 covers, an outside seating area with potential to seat 20 covers in the warmer weather, to sit have some food and coffee and watch the world go by,  upstairs consists of 30 covers with some blanquette seating and a mix of high and low level seating. On the 3rd floor are 2 rooms currently used for staff, but could be decorated to sub lease for an office or tattoo business!

There is a dry cellar with power and light that offers viable storage space

Tenure

The business is being sold on a Leasehold basis with a 10 year lease started in Oct 2022. The rent is £20,000 per annum. 

Hours

The current business trading hours are:

Monday - Closed

Tuesday - Closed

Wednesday - 08:30 - 16:00pm

Thursday - 08:30am - 16:00pm

Friday - 08:30am - 16:00pm

Saturday - 09:30am - 16:00pm

Sunday - 09:30am - 15:00pm

Staff

The business is owner-run and managed with 2 full-time staff and a selection of part time staff 

Financial Profile

Financial information can be made available upon request.