Established in 1879, gone in 2011…

When I arrived from Mexico 3 years ago, one of my first excursions to the city centre of Sheffield included a stop at a little quaint place called Pollards.

Whereas other places that I’ve tried in the United Kingdom serve somewhat decent to chickpea-and-peat sludge, the coffee at Pollards was quality. I come from a family that knows its coffee and I’ve been drinking since I was 5 (don’t ask).

My grandfather was from Veracruz and he got us used to the finest of grains he could get. Nowhere else but in Pollards could I get a good coffee that was strong AND full of flavour. And now, I simply won’t be able to get my fix.

I had good memories from the place, I went there with several friends of my degree and enjoyed the food there. I did come back quite a few times, mostly for breakfast and always for some ground coffee for the week.

I might not have the nostalgia that quite a few other people lamenting the closure of the place have, but I do feel bad about the people working there who now have lost their work and for everyone who had fond memories of family breakfasts and long conversations over a cup of proper coffee or hand made cakes.

The staff was always supremely courteous, the place was clean and, above all, will remain in the hearts of tea and coffee lovers in this steel city, which now has another bit of rust appearing in its previously shiny surface. Or maybe I wasn’t paying attention?

There is a rumour that a certain individual said that “there are other cafés in the city centre”. If it’s true this person said this, this person is terribly wrong, as none of the other coffee shops has the personality Pollards had.

Also, The Rock is angry at this.