Royal Hotel, Dungworth

Many of you will recall that the Royal closed last year. A planning application has now been lodged with Sheffield City Council to convert the pub into residential accommodation (ref. 25/00501/FUL). We have formally objected: the permanent loss of this culturally significant and historic pub would have a profound and detrimental impact on the local community and beyond.

The Royal Hotel has served as a vital community hub since 1813, providing a space for social interaction, local traditions and live music. Most notably, it is one of the key venues for the Sheffield Christmas Carols – a centuries-old folk tradition that draws visitors from across the country and further afield. Losing the pub would diminish this deeply rooted cultural event, which has been widely recognised as a unique and important part of British heritage.

The Royal attracts visitors not only from Sheffield but from further afield. The area has a growing, affluent customer base who regularly visit the surrounding countryside for recreation. Dungworth is criss-crossed with walking trails and sits on the edge of the Peak District National Park – the pub is a welcome sight for walkers seeking rest and refreshment. Locally, the past two years have seen nearly 20 new houses either built or granted planning permission.

There is strong evidence to suggest that, with the right management, the Royal could thrive. Many similar rural pubs in the Sheffield area are successfully attracting a mix of local patrons and visitors. The Royal’s setting – with its historical significance and sweeping views across the Loxley Valley – offers a clear opportunity for revitalisation.

A key requirement for change-of-use applications involving pubs is a demonstrable effort to market the premises as a going concern. In this case, there is little evidence that the Royal has been properly offered for sale as a functioning pub. In contrast, a local fundraising initiative has already pledged a six-figure sum to support the future of the Royal, and a local brewery has expressed interest in purchasing the pub. Viable options clearly exist to avoid the unnecessary loss of a valued local facility – one that supports community cohesion, social interaction, and the local economy.

Given the strong interest in preserving the Royal, granting permission for its conversion at this stage would be premature. We believe the proposed development is inconsistent with both local and national policies on the conversion of pubs. With overwhelming community support and positive indicators from the Public House Viability Test, we urge the council to reject the application and support efforts to secure the future of the Royal Hotel as a sustainable business and vital community asset.