Author: Admin

A new micro-pub appeared briefly in Crookes during the Christmas holidays, well visited by those in the know who mainly found out through social media where this ‘pop up venue’ was promoted. The Crookes Alehouse was in the former Mr Bens fancy dress shop, open for just 4 days from 27th to 30th December, closing early on the 30th due to running out of beer! This was an exercise in market research to test demand for such an establishment, the beer was principally 3 casks stillaged on the shop counter with the choice being Magic Rock Ringleader NZ, Sheffield Brewery Porter and Sheffield Brewery First Gold at a very reasonable £2.50 per pint. There were also bottled beers and mulled cider.

Following a planning hearing at North East Derbyshire County Council (17 Dec 2013) which ended with the council wanting more information regarding the ACV status of The Angel, notice of intention to dispose of The Angel has been received from the owners Punch Taverns. This triggers a six week period when community interest groups can ask to be treated as potential bidders. The opportunity has arisen as part of the national Community Right to Bid process which enables local groups to bid to take on the running of local assets that have been placed on the Council’s List of Assets of Community Value (ACV). These are assets which are valued by the community and are likely to continue to be in future. Bodies eligible to bid under the legislation include charities, community interest companies, non-profit distributing companies limited by guarantee or non-profit distributing industrial/provident societies (otherwise known as community benefit societies). If NEDCC receives a request from a community interest group to be treated as a potential bidder within the six week period, it will trigger a full six month period during which time eligible local groups will be able to work on their proposal. We understand that a local community group, linked to the ‘Save the Angel’ campaign, is seriously considering making such a bid. During this six week or six month period the owner can continue to negotiate and market the asset but cannot sell it unless it is to a community interest group. After the six week or six month period, whichever applies, they are free to sell the asset to whomsoever they choose. Requests to be treated as potential bidders have to be sent, with evidence of eligibility, by 29 Jan to the Governance Manager, at NEDCC, Chesterfield. For more on the Community Right to Bid, including how to list an asset visit the Derbyshire County Council website.

The Closed Shop is pleased to announce that the new month will also see the launch of a new and improved menu. Expect traditional home-made pub classics, a selection of sandwiches, butties and burgers, and an ever changing specials board for that something extra, erm… special! For those with families to feed, the new menu will also have a selection of kid’s options – not to mention our home-made ice-cream to keep them quiet for that important second pint. Choose from our range of 8 hand-pulled cask ales including the ever present Blue Bee Nectar Pale 4%. And if, sacre bleu, you really don’t feel up to that, our Lavazza coffee range will always be available to perk you up, with a variety of cakes perched temptingly on our bar. So whether you’re after a light bite at dinner, something to soak up the Commonside pub-crawl booze, or an evening meal with friends, we reckon we have it covered. Why not ask our staff what ales they’d recommend with your meal of choice? Or what meal would go with your ale of choice (this is a CAMRA publication after all!).