A Decade of Coffee, Community and Cathedral Life: 1554 Turns 10
This June, Sheffield Cathedral’s much-loved 1554 Coffee and Gift Shop celebrates 10 years of serving more than just coffee. Since opening in 2015, 1554 has grown from a modest idea into a vibrant community hub in the heart of the city - a welcoming space where good coffee, conversation, and connection come together every day.
Founded by Ruth Maher-Heslip, now Enterprise Manager, alongside past team members, the café began as a vision to create a place where both the cathedral community and wider public could feel at home.
“When I started at the Cathedral, there wasn’t a coffee shop - just an idea. We knew we didn’t want it to be just a café tucked away in a corner. We wanted it to be a destination that encouraged people through the doors who might never have visited the Cathedral before,” says Ruth. “We opened in June 2015, and I still remember how nervous we were. It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed.”
1554 quickly became known for its warm atmosphere, excellent service, and commitment to local suppliers. From its early partnership with Heavenly Coffee - now a corporate sponsor of Cathedral events - to proudly stocking products from Wateralls Pork Butchers, Bakewell Bakery, and the Secret Cake Club, supporting independent local businesses has always been at the heart of its ethos.
But beyond the food and drink, 1554 has become a place of genuine connection: a regular stop for city centre workers, a meeting point for friends, a calm corner for visitors, and a friendly space for those who just need a listening ear. The café is also dog-friendly, and many of its regulars - two-legged and four - have become part of what Ruth describes as the 1554 family.
“It’s a huge honour to have such loyal customers who choose to spend their time with us. Some people come in every day. They know the staff by name. It means everything to us.”
The team - Matt, Debbie, Steph, Catherine, Heasley, Ianna, Noah, Alfie, Elly and Hamid - are known not only for their dedication but for the warmth they bring to the job.
“Matt often says so many of the customers now feel like family. He even seems to have his own fan club,” Ruth jokes.
1554 has also won numerous awards, including the Westside Readers’ Choice Award (2017), Best Café Light Bite (2018, 2019), and Best Family Friendly Venue (2022). Following a post-pandemic rebrand to include a curated gift shop supporting Sheffield artists and makers, the café partnered with photographer Brian Mosely of Love Sheffield to feature local scenes throughout the shop—many of which are available as prints and postcards.
The Very Revd Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, said:
“1554 is such an important part of the Cathedral. The sound of coffee cups clinking, the hum of conversation and the warmth of welcome spill out into the whole building. Ruth and her team love people and they have built the most wonderful sense of community in the café – they genuinely care about everyone who comes in. The cakes are glorious and there’s no better latte in the whole of Sheffield!”
To mark this special milestone, 1554 is inviting friends old and new to join in the celebration at its Big Birthday Bash on Saturday 7 June, from 12pm to 2pm inside the coffee shop at Sheffield Cathedral. The event will include live music, light refreshments, and a chance to meet the team behind 1554 as they mark ten years of community, conversation and coffee in the heart of the city.
To add to the celebrations, 1554 is also running a special social media giveaway, running now until Saturday 7 June. One lucky winner will receive a prize bundle including two tickets to London Concertante at Sheffield Cathedral (14 June), lunch for two at the 1554 Coffee Shop, and a Sheffield-made goodie bag worth over £50. To enter, visit 1554’s Facebook or Instagram pages and follow the instructions on the giveaway post.
Whether you’ve been visiting since day one or are just discovering what makes 1554 special, the Cathedral community looks forward to welcoming you.
Here’s to the next decade of coffee, community, and connection in the heart of Sheffield.
