A new Scandinavian-style wellness café, ‘Güs’, is set to open in Sheffield this December.
Founded by two friends, Güs combines saunas, ice baths, and Scandinavian-inspired experiences centred around wellness. Forge Press interviewed Rob Hemingway and Chris Jones, the founders of Güs, about their exciting new project.
After graduating from university, Chris moved to Copenhagen and quickly became inspired by the city’s thriving wellness scene.
The pair, who met while studying, realised how far behind the UK was in its focus on wellbeing compared to Scandinavia.
Rob shared, “The UK is stuck in 2003; a lot of wellness spaces here still take that old-fashioned definition of wellness: overly expensive massages, healing gongs. We are trying to make wellness more approachable.”
Güs’s experience is about intention, turning up and being kind to yourself.
There are two available experiences: Free Flow and Guided Experience.
The Free Flow option allows participants to enjoy a 45 or 90-minute session at their own pace, using the sauna as they wish in a self-guided format.
Alternatively, the Guided Experience starts with participants setting their intentions for the session and finding their “flow.” During this time, sharing anxieties and letting go of stress is encouraged.
Afterwards, participants are invited to take a cold plunge followed by a high-energy sauna session filled with music, high temperatures, and sensory stimulation.
Rob explained, “The core of Güs is a lot about music, Chris and I are mad fans of new, good alternative music and we really want that to be a part of what we are doing in the sessions”
During the sessions, participants are encouraged to explore their intentions while experiencing intense music, scents, and energy. The session concludes with a cold plunge followed by stretching, breathwork, or another high-energy sauna experience.
Rob asserted, “I promise that after doing those three together, you will walk away feeling absolutely incredible.”
He emphasised that Güs is not just about wellness; it’s also about building community. This focus on community is one of the reasons they chose Sheffield.
Güs will be located at 34 Cambridge Street in the City Centre, surrounded by Cambridge Street Collective and Leah’s Yard. Rob noted that Sheffield is “crying out for something like this, especially being at the foot of the Peak District.”
“We are putting a lot of emphasis and effort into designing a beautiful building that people want to be in. We have beautiful seating outside and inside, and social spaces within the actual sauna complex.”
Rob explained: “We want people to feel like it is the space to hang out for wellness, that isn’t just the pub anymore”
Güs plans to open in December 2025.
Image credit: wellness.gus on instagram.
