FOOD & DRINK
PUTTING DOWN ROOTS
In just 12 months, a fledgling Neepsend bar has gone from fresh start to fervent local favourite. For Joe Spriggs and Danny Tennant, the unassuming youthful pair behind Alder, success stems from unique life and industry experience, a willingness to try new things, and an infectious community spirit that permeates the business from top to bottom. Words: Jack Paul Picture: @tom.w,pattie
Alder is nestled away on Percy Street in what was a polish factory. Over the last 175 years, the Victorian redbrick walls have also housed stables, a Land Rover repair shop, a builder’s yard, and most recently The Sheffield Brewery Co., the remains of which still lay entrenched into the bar’s architecture and décor. Two elevated mash tuns watch over every drink poured and served; a third sits next to the bar sprouting pipes like metal vines; amongst the seating area two grated hatches draw the eye, which, when lifted, reveal an aerial view of two empty 1600 litre fermenters; and dotted around in various spots is The Sheffield Brewery logo. But the bar is no longer run by The Sheffield Brewery, it is run independently by Joe and Danny, 27 and 26 respectively, both born and bred a stone’s throw away in Hillsborough. The pair took over in October 2021 and quickly established themselves within a highly competitive corner of Kelham Island. “We don’t badge ourselves as a community or social club, but I guess we kind of are,” says Joe. “We are both 44 | WWW.EXPOSEDMAGAZINE.CO.UK
local and think it’s important to try to keep things as local as we can, especially with those we collaborate with.” This communal ethos is immediately visible to regulars and passing visitors alike. It can be seen in things as small as Danny’s nails, recently given full Alder treatment by Sweet As Hell nails on Abbeydale road, and as substantial as the furniture on which drinks rest – a table made by Brian George who owns the wood workshop next door. Community support is even rewarded with beer: Alder offer a free pint for every bag of street litter collected. This community spirit extends to the events programming, now a core part of the business and one increasing as they continue to develop their events space. “Two months ago, my dad built us a stage and since then we’ve had loads of music on,” says bar manager Danny. “Blues, rock bands, jazz bands, acoustic stuff, electronic, covers, 80s, weird art stuff… we really are open to anything.” “We’ve just bought a huge screen,” Joe adds, “and have already premiered a Skateboard Cafe video here. We’ve
acquired Kelham Island Film Club, so we’ll be playing films most Thursdays. We can also show the World Cup now, so we’ll have the games here.” It should come as no surprise that the programming has become so diverse and inclusive. Not just because of the boys’ relaxed willingness to try new things, but because of Danny’s musical background. “I studied music production in Manchester. By the time I’d finished my degree, I didn’t have plans to do anything with it. I was still producing stuff, but education wasn’t for me and uni made me fall out of love with it. Now that I’m here, I have an opportunity to work with bands and find decent musicians and help things get set up. It’s really helped me refind my passion for it.” Joe, too, possesses a wealth of experience that has aided Alder’s success. “I did some travelling and when I came back I wanted to get into sales. I started selling car warranty, cold-calling people, then moved on to selling steel, then waste services. When I was made redundant I started volunteering at The Sheffield Brewery, selling beer and eventually running their bar. That’s how I met Danny, selling beer to his old work. When Danny left his job I gave him some hours at the brewery and here we are.” Joe and Danny’s combined industry experience