Category: Inn Brief

The Freemasons at the bottom of Walkley Lane is under new management and is now called The Riverside. There is a range of real ales starting at £2.35 a pint. – The Sportsman at Crosspool, an Ember Inn has six real ales with the guest beers being voted for by the customers. There is an illustrated Ale Guide with descriptions of the beers to choose from. The manager Michael Cashmore and his team offer all real ales at £2.49 after 5pm on Monday and to CAMRA members there is 20p off all the time. – The Coach & Horses in Dronfield is offering 20p off a pint for CAMRA members on all the Thornbridge cask ales. – A planning application has been submitted to Sheffield Council seeking permission to demolish The Wheel, Plumbley Lane, Mosborough, and replace it with housing. Documents supporting the application say there are other pubs nearby and The Wheel is no longer financially viable. A decision is expected from the council by the end of March. – Bamford Post Office has relocated to the Angler’s Rest. Liz Marshall, of pub owners Bamford Community Society, said: “We are delighted to be able to save this amenity.” Continue reading “Inn Brief”

In late November, pub and brew­ing company Marston’s, sold 202 pubs to New River Retail. It is feared that New River will convert the pubs into stores. New River Retail is a specialist real estate investment trust (REIT) focussed on the UK food and value retail sector. Mike Benner, chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale, said “This pub sell-off is bad news for communities which may lose their pubs as a result. New River Retail have seriously underestimated the challenges and opposition that they will face in trying to sell profitable community pubs and convert them into convenience stores and other uses.”

Stonegate Pub Company has taken over 78 pubs from the administrators of the Bramwell Pub Company. Locally, these include the Bessemer (Leopold Street) and The Graduate (Surrey Street). Stonegate have 623 outlets across the UK, including: The Beehive (West Street), The Globe (Howard Street), The Cavendish (West Street) and Yates’s (Cambridge Street). They have a turnover of some £570M and are second behind JD Wetherspoon in the high-street sector. Also, with mention of the Cavendish on West Street, this pub will temporarily close in January for refurbishment.

In April, Sheffield Planning Committee rejected a proposal to turn the Old Cart & Horses Inn in High Green into a Sainsbury’s ‘Local’ store. Following an appeal, the arguments will be heard by a Government planning inspector. No date has yet been set for the appeal, which will be either a public inquiry or a more informal public hearing.

Craig and Marie have now left the Peaks Inn at Castleton, they ceased trading and closed the pub on the 1st January. During their time there they increased the selection of real ales with local breweries supported, Craig’s food got a five star review from Martin Dawes in the Sheffield Star newspaper and the bed & breakfast accommodation featured on Channel 4’s Three in a Bed show. However the rent being charged by Punch Taverns was too high for the business to be viable going forward. We are told Punch plan on investing in a major refurbishment and leasing the pub to new tenants with a higher rent to reflect the investment. Craig and Marie are looking for alternative pub management roles in our area and we wish them all the best for the future.

Paul and Lorraine will by the time this issue is published have left the Horns Inn at Holmesfield with the leaving party being held on Saturday 25th January. Although this village pub has been excellent with them at the helm, it hasn’t been viable to employ permanent staff and they have been finding it hard work since becoming parents so are leaving the trade for something more family friendly!

The Railway, Holywell Road, Brightside, is now using two handpumps. New Year availability was Greene King Rocking Rudolf and Tetley Bitter.

The Florentine, Tapton Park Road has four beers, Florentine Gold which is re badged Oxford Gold at £3.19 and three other beers from local breweries which are more expensive. On a recent visit the beers were Abbeydale Moonshine and Brimstone and Bradfield Belgian Blue. The Florentine is the former Fulwood Inn, which has had a major refurbishment and rebrand by Marstons with food and accommodation available.

The Station, Kiveton Park, as the name suggests, is next to the station there, has reopened and is advertising real ales from the local Hartill village brewery

The refurbished Sportsman in Norton Lees had a relaunch on 22 Nov. It is now under new management and refurbished. Real ale continues to be available as does sport on TV. Newly introduced is food – look out for various weekly food offers.