Barks Wine Shop is the latest independent to open in Sheffield. 

Owner Charles Cornelius has a background in hospitality as well as experience working in sales for a distillery.

“I was made redundant last Christmas,” he says. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but someone I used to sell to in Sheffield told me about this gorgeous listed building in Leahs Yard. I saw there was a unit available and it just kind of went on from there. The business was really done in reverse.

“I’m not from Sheffield originally but I just fell in love with the city. I feel that it really supports independent businesses, so I decided this is where I’m going to settle. 

“I was selling to Starmore Boss before and I still buy some bits and bobs off them, so I keep in touch with them and they have been really supportive of me from day one. Absolutely everyone has in the whole Sheffield community.”

Cornelius says that although the shop is “tiny” he has a “beautiful courtyard” so he can serve drinks outside, weather permitting. 

“The drinking-in option really pushes my bottle sales,” he says, “but the retail side will always be the main focus. My vision for the shop is that it’s all really accessible, easy-drinking wines. The main retail price sits between £12 to £30 for still wines with a couple more premium options.

“I’m working with Milestone Wines and rotating between a lot of smaller importers like Beattie & Roberts, Otros Vinos, Wines Under the Bonnet and Indigo. I fill some gaps with Hallgarten because they have a low minimum order. I have plans to work with lots of other suppliers. I only have around 100 SKUs and we don’t have much space or storage. 

“People always ask me, ‘how do you know what wine to like?’ and I just say, ‘have a drink and try’. Sometimes you have to take some losses and try ones that you don’t like and that leads to being able to find the ones you do like. 

“That’s why I want the majority of the wines to change week in and week out.”

As the name of the shop suggests, there is a significant canine in its owner’s life. 

“My last name is Cornelius, which is a great name, but I did think Cornelius might just appear a bit too poncey and give the wrong idea of what I was selling,” he says.

“I wanted a one-word name for the shop, and I’ve got a little Jack Russell at home. I love her with all my heart, but she barks an awful lot. A friend of mine created the logo for me and she did an amazing job.”