La Casa del Habano Sheffield is the first of its kind in Yorkshire and one of the most ambitious cigar lounge openings the UK has seen in recent years.

Set up by the team behind Mitchells, the lounge brings the full LCDH experience to Sheffield. It’s focused entirely on Cuban cigars and designed from the ground up to meet the strict requirements set by both Hunters and Frankau and Habanos S.A.

A Family Business with History

Mitchells has been a family-run business in Sheffield for nearly a century. What began as a butchers shop in the 1930s gradually evolved into a respected wine and spirits merchant. Over time, they expanded their focus and began introducing Cuban cigars to their customers—eventually becoming one of the top Havana cigar retailers in the north.

Today the business is run by Francesca Mitchell and James Mellor. The couple have taken Mitchells into a new chapter, developing not only the range but the reputation of the store as a proper cigar destination. Their 90th anniversary in 2024 included a limited edition cigar produced in collaboration with Perdomo, marking the start of their journey into cigar projects of their own.

Inside the Lounge and Humidor

In the video below we sit down with James to walk through what it took to open this location. The lounge sits inside what used to be a brewery. It’s now a clean, sharp, purpose-built cigar space. A long humidor filled with LCDH-only cigars runs along one side. The sampling lounge is quiet, comfortable, and sealed to meet council regulations on air control.

The humidor is stocked with a strong range of Cubans. Highlights include the Bolívar Gold Medal, Trinidad Robusto Extra, San Cristóbal La Cabaña, and a healthy stash of Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure Deluxe. A row of private lockers is also available to rent.

How to Build Your Own La Casa del Habano

Opening a La Casa del Habano is not a branding exercise. It is a formal franchise agreement with Habanos S A and its appointed distributor. In the UK, that distributor is Hunters and Frankau. Only retailers with a proven track record in premium cigar sales and specialist knowledge will be considered.

To begin, the store must be a fully separate retail unit. It cannot be part of a larger shop or hidden within another business. It needs its own entrance, its own signage, and a floor plan that meets the global standards set by Habanos S A. The minimum size requirement is usually around sixty square metres and must allow enough space for a walk-in humidor, a cigar lounge, and private lockers.

Only Cuban cigars from Habanos S A can be sold or stored in the humidor. New World cigars are strictly prohibited. Every cigar inside the humidor must be a genuine Habanos product. This rule also applies to the lounge. Customers may only smoke Cuban cigars purchased from that LCDH location.

The walk-in humidor must be lined with Spanish cedar and fitted with reliable climate controls. Temperature must stay between twenty and twenty two degrees Celsius with relative humidity kept between sixty seven and seventy two percent. Backup systems are recommended, and the humidor volume must be large enough to support regular LCDH releases including limited editions and regional exclusives. Lockers should be available for customer use and must maintain the same climate conditions as the main humidor.

The lounge must be a sealed environment. Doors must be self-closing and tightly fitted. A dedicated air extraction system is required and must operate independently from the rest of the building. This is not only for comfort but to preserve the integrity of the LCDH experience. Smoke from the lounge must never reach other areas of the premises.

All plans for the store must be submitted for approval. That includes the humidor layout, shelving, lighting, ventilation, furniture, finishes, and signage. Both the distributor and Habanos S A will review the proposal. No construction or branding can proceed until official approval is granted in writing. LCDH brand guidelines must be followed at every level.

Staff training is also a key part of the process. At least one person working in the store must have formal knowledge of Habanos cigars. Most stores will have a team member certified as a Master of Havana Cigars to provide education and support to clients.

The team at Mitchells followed this entire process from start to finish. They acquired a separate building next to their original shop. They redesigned the space entirely. They built a full-size walk-in humidor lined in cedar and equipped it with lockers. They submitted their designs to Cuba and waited for formal approval. They installed a sealed ventilation system and committed to selling Cuban cigars only. Today, La Casa del Habano Sheffield meets every requirement and serves as a proper example of how to build an LCDH the right way.

Community First

Mitchells has always been a footfall-first store. While cigars are available online, the best experience is in person. That’s why the team has chosen not to list many of their LCDH cigars on the site. Regulars get priority, and the store has built a loyal base of local smokers who now have a proper space to enjoy what they buy.

From students to long-time collectors, the lounge is already attracting a wide range of customers. It’s a clean, well-run, professional space that makes a strong case for more LCDH locations outside of London.

Visiting the Lounge

La Casa del Habano Sheffield is now officially open. Stock levels are strong, the humidor is well maintained, and the team behind the counter are knowledgeable, friendly, and ready to help.

Contact Details
Address: 352 Meadowhead, Sheffield S8 7UJ
Phone: 0114 274 5587
Email: info@mitchellswine.co.uk

To watch the full video tour and interview, click the player below.