This branch of Starbucks is one of two locations Starbucks have in the city centre of Sheffield - there are other branches nearby via public transport including at Cineworld and Meadowhall however.
This is a franchise store - so they charge more than other stores which is quite frustrating as the other store nearby in the city centre on Fargate is the same.
The store is a pretty old building - there isn't a great deal of seating and the indoor area isn't the nicest due to it being an old building and they don't seem to have done anything to try to make it a little nicer, in many ways it reminded me of the Starbucks on Albion Street in Leeds as it had two separate seating areas. I do accept there are only certain things they can do however as the building is probably listed.
The entrance into the store is confusing - there is the main entrance onto the terrace with some nice outdoor seating in Tudor Square via steps, and another way in which basically is steps leading to nowhere. I phoned the store to ask if they had a disabled entrance, I was rudely hung up on by more than one member of staff three times before the last call threatened me "I'm going to trace this call" I replied "Okay please do. I'll be waiting for help." only to once again get nothing.
I have later pointed out the slightly hidden side entrance by another customer.
Once I finally got into the store and explained the situation to the staff, they were shocked and kind they admitted it was a genuine mistake and thought it was a prank call - I don't understand how they could think it was a prank call as I called back on numerous occasions with no malicious intents - I just wanted a damn coffee.
I was offered a free drink as well as another voucher and the staff came over to me more than once, apologising - my issues with the store in this matter are now long gone as they saw an issue and made it right.
My beverage quality was not bad, considering it is a franchise store they did a decent job for my Coldbrew Latte with vanilla syrup: they also filled my 24 oz cup to the top - some branches have a problem with it even though it is only 4 oz bigger than the UK size (I bought the cup on eBay from a US seller)
The overall feel inside the store isn't great but it is a pretty nice place to sit outside in the summer, the staff seemed friendly in the end and the beverage quality was okay - the overall feel of the inside of the store due to it being an old building and slightly awkward to get in on the first approach does let the store down, as well as the fact it is a franchise so, doesn't support mobile order and pay and does charge higher prices which make the price of a beverage go beyond value for money - Starbucks is really missing a trick by not having a main company-owned location here surely?
3* - Slightly generous rating but based on the staff's kindness to put issues right, outdoor area and A-OK beverage quality it is deserved. read more