Category: News

Royal Oak demolished

Posted on by Dave Pickersgill

Without planning permission, the Royal Oak (Mosborough), was recently demolished. The owners, Bar 24 Ltd., have to apply for retrospective planning permission. Their assertion is that toxic waste was dumped in the car park, and the situation became so bad that the only option was to demolish the pub. The building dated from 1843, becoming a beerhouse in 1870.

Clive Betts, the local MP disagrees, ‘the issue of the toxic waste and chemical spills on the site is in my view a red herring. There has been a problem with toxic chemicals but the explanation from the owners that they contacted the Environment Agency about demolition does not in any way obviate the need to apply for planning permission to demolish: the two are separate issues.’

Sheffield and District CAMRA agree with Clive. In October, environmental experts assessed the situation and didn’t find anything to justify demolition. This suggests that the spillage has been used as a pretext for taking short cuts to potentially secure profitable redevelopment of the site. Surely waste could have been removed without having to knock down the pub.

We also believe objections to the anticipated planning application should initially focus on the importance of retaining pub use on the site and the lack of any justification for the demolition. The Carlton Tavern (London) sets a clear precedent.

This Carlton closed in April 2015: then two days before Historic England was due to recommend the pub be granted Grade II listed status, the owners demolished the building, without planning permission. They expected a £5000 fine. However, Westminster Council had a different opinion. They ordered the owners: CTLX, to rebuild the Carlton brick by brick. Earlier this year, having been totally rebuilt, it re-opened.

Sheffield and District CAMRA will comment when the planning application for demolition is submitted to SCC Planning. We encourage you to do the same.

Cover Photo © Nigel Mykura (cc-by-sa/2.0) /

Royal Oak Mosborough – Kenny Riley

More pubs can reopen on 17 May

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The government have announced that step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown will be going ahead as hoped on Monday 17 May, which allows indoor hospitality including pubs for the first time this year.

Until 17 May, pubs may only open for outdoor table service – see our list of venues currently open.

Covid safety restrictions are still a requirement from 17th May with table service, reduced capacity for social distancing, checking in to the NHS Test & Trace system, wearing masks when not seated, enhanced cleaning regimes etc and maximum group size indoors is six. From the same date the limit of the group size outdoors increases although table service will still be a requirement.

We suggest checking pubs opening hours and whether they are taking table reservations before setting out, you can find links to social media accounts and websites from WhatPub. Public transport information for getting to the pubs can be found at Travel South Yorkshire.

News and more online for members

Posted on by Andy Cullen

This month sees changes that end the printed edition of the national CAMRA members’ monthly newspaper What’s Brewing and the launch of a digital service to replace it. The new website will contain more content and be updated more regularly as well as containing archives of old editions of the newspaper and also Beer magazine. To access the full content you need to log in with your membership number and password.

This isn’t the only online content provided as part of CAMRA membership – the Learn & Discover platform is already live, featuring interesting articles and videos about beer, cider, perry and pubs.

The changes don’t mean an end to printed publications – Beer magazine will still be published quarterly and posted out to members who have set their preferences to do so. If you are a member wishing to receive a printed copy we advise logging into the membership self service portal at camra.org.uk and ensure your preferences for CAMRA contacting you is set to receive Beer.

At a local level we are also aiming to restart the printed edition of our Beer Matters magazine this summer once Covid restrictions are lifted.

Cask is back, so back cask

Posted on by Guest

A new campaign launching today is calling on beer drinkers to back British brewing and pubs and opt for a pint of fresh cask beer from a local independent brewery when they return to pubs next week.

OK, technically cask never truly went away with a few pubs and specialist beer shops offering cask beer to drink at home through lockdown, however sales of hand-pulled cask beer have been hit hard by Coronavirus restrictions – with sales of this fresh British beer down 70% over the last twelve months and many breweries suspending production during lockdown.

The ‘Cask is BACK, so back CASK’ campaign has been launched today by the Society of Independent Brewers, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the British Institute of Innkeeping, and Cask Marque – who are championing Britain’s National drink, which can only be enjoyed down the pub.

“Cask beer and pubs go hand-in-hand and are an important part of our National identity. Because cask beer can only be enjoyed in the pub it’s the drink millions of beer lovers across the UK have missed most during lockdown. Whether you’re a real ale enthusiast or sometimes beer drinker, we’re asking everyone to support their local independent breweries and opt for their first pint back in the pub to be some delicious local cask beer. For publicans, those pubs that do cask and do it well will reap the rewards so we’re encouraging all in the pub trade to prioritise cask and ensure that first pint back is in tip-top condition. The message is simple – cask is back, so back cask!” James Calder, SIBA Chief Executive.

“What makes the Great British pub so unique is delicious, fresh cask beer. It’s a drink you can only enjoy in the pub and which millions of people across the UK have not been able to enjoy for much of the last twelve months. So when pubs reopen next week, I’d like to invite you to join me in making our first pint down the pub a fresh cask beer from a local brewery. You’ll not only get a great tasting beer but you’ll be supporting local independent breweries and our struggling pub-industry.” Tom Stainer, Chief Executive CAMRA

“Cask ale is a unique attribute to UK pubs and a key point of difference to many BII members, who run professional independent, drink-led venues in our local towns, high streets and communities.  Our pubs need ongoing support to recover their businesses and support fantastic local brewers that make our pubs so special.

“The BII continues to support members through this critical reopening and long road to recovery of their pubs, as well as the key supply chain businesses that help make the Great British pub part of our nation’s heritage.” Steven Alton, CEO of the BII.

“We have all missed the pub and for a lot of us a pint of Cask Ale will complete our rehabilitation. Serving great cask ale I am sure will get more people back into the British pub.” Paul Nunny, Cask Marque Director

Cask beer, also known as Real Ale, is Britain’s National drink and what makes it unique is its freshness – brewed to be served fresh ands hand-pulled from chilled pub cellars in a few days.

During lockdown, some 5 million pints of cask beer from small independent breweries had to be poured away, with the brewers who made it left to foot the bill. Those same breweries have been ramping production back up ahead of pubs reopening, so by buying a pint of cask beer, you’re not only supporting your local pub, but helping out small independent breweries too.

Why should we care about cask beer?

  • You can only get cask beer in the pub – and pubs have been shut for majority of the year
  • 80% of revenue for small independent breweries comes from pubs and the vast majority (around 70%_ of that beer is cask. By choosing cask you are supporting local independent businesses.
  • Small independent breweries create local jobs more than other styles of beer from Global breweries. Pubs and breweries also employ a higher percentage of young people than other sectors
  • With a limited shelf-life cask beer is the freshest beer available and a uniquely British product.
  • Handpulled cask beer is the original ‘craft beer’ beer and deserves our protection and promotion. Alongside traditional beers from Belgium and the rest of Europe it inspired a generation of brewers in the US and across the Globe. Without cask beer we wouldn’t have craft beer!

A taste of Sheffield

Posted on by Andy Cullen

We were hoping to welcome over 1000 beer tourists to Sheffield in April for the CAMRA Members Weekend but with the Coronavirus restrictions this was sadly not to be. So we are bringing you the next best thing, a box of six different beers from breweries in the Sheffield & District branch area to enjoy at home along with a live online tasting event with all six breweries included in the price

The online tasting event is at 6pm on Saturday 16 April and the beer box will be delivered to you in time for this.

The Beers

  • Neepsend Brewery Acadia 3.9%
    New England session pale (440ml can)
  • Kelham Island Brewery Pale Rider 5.2%
    Premium golden ale (500ml bottle)
  • Intrepid Brewery Stanage 4.5%
    Oatmeal stout (500ml bottle)
  • Triple Point Brewery Dyad #4 5.2%
    DDH New England IPA (440ml can)
  • Bradfield Brewery Belgian Blue 4.9%
    Flavoured speciality ale (500ml bottle)
  • Abbeydale Brewery Black Mass 6.66%
    Strong stout (440ml can)

The price is £35, discounted to £30 for CAMRA members. Order your box online from CAMRA (don’t forget, if you are a CAMRA member, to sign in first to get the discount)

Route out of lockdown

Posted on by Andy Cullen

The government have now published their road map to normality.

A handy summary can be found on the BBC News website.

The full document can be downloaded from the government website.

As far as pubs are concerned, the following phased reopening timeline has been announced. Note dates are the earliest it will happen and are subject to review based on meeting targets for vaccinations, hospital admissions etc. Also note not all pubs will find it viable to open with restrictions in place.

12 April

  • Pubs can do alcohol takeaway sales from the premises rather than just home deliveries
  • Beer gardens may open with table service and rule of six observed.

17 May

  • Larger groups permitted in beer gardens
  • Pubs may open indoors with table service, social distancing arrangements and rule of six enforced

21 June

  • social distancing rules removed
  • pubs may open in a normal fashion
  • nightclubs and live music venues may open and festivals can take place (this may be subject to conditions yet to be decided).

Until pubs can start reopening, they need proper financial support in order to survive and decisions made in the budget announced on 3rd March will be important. A facility to email your MP on the subject is available on the CAMRA Save Our Pubs campaign page.

Comment on the announcement from CAMRA’s national Chairman below.

Summary of steps out of lockdown (graphic from Sheffield City Council).

Sheffield Beer Week goes virtual

Posted on by Guest
True North Brewery.

To keep the spirit of this much-loved annual city-wide beer celebration going through an exhaustive twelve months of the global Covid-19 pandemic, Sheffield Beer Week goes virtual in March 2021.

Taking the week to celebrate the local beer scene, who have had little respite or adequate support from the government during this global pandemic, Sheffield Beer Week will celebrate via social media campaigns across their channels on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook in a ‘look back’ over the last six years, asking participants to also share their favourite memories using the hashtag #SheffBeerWeek.

Sheffield Beer Week at its core shines the spotlight on the unison of beer and food, community and heritage; with a continued celebration of women working in the beer industry (International Women’s Day falls in the week). In previous years there has been everything from women in beer networking events to brewsters’ tap takeover collaborations with organisers such as Fem.Ale and Ladies That Beer. Last year, in 2020, when Sheffield Beer Week was the last UK nationwide beer week event to occur, Sheffield based LGBTQ+ beer group Out and About, Lost Industry Brewing and Sheffield Beer Week collaborated on a beer to celebrate the pioneering life and work of Edward Carpenter. The collaboration shared a unified sentiment which championed welcoming everyone from across the spectrum of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. Edward Carpenter (1844-1929) was a significant cultural and political activist around Sheffield in his life. Advocating the simplification of life through his market garden and grow your own approach to campaigning for many issues of social concern. These ranged from women’s suffrage to the protection of the environment, from sexual emancipation to the formation of trade unions.

The Beer Engine.

Join Sheffield Beer Week on their Instagram live launch – Monday 8th March, 6pm, with guests from the local beer scene such as breweries Neepsend Brew Co and Saint Mars of the Desert. Shared across socials have been resources compiled by the Sheffield CAMRA branch which highlight pubs, bars, breweries and beer shops where people can source Sheffield brewed beer from; hoping to increase support and boost the local economy.

To kick-off the week, Sheffield’s craft beer festival, Indie Beer Feast usually goes ahead at the iconic Abbeydale Picture House with brewery bars (20+) and street food. On Saturday 6th March the festival will host a virtual launch on their Instagram feed with a surprise beer bundle supplied by associated Sheffield beer shop Hop Hideout. Due to demand, boxes have sold out two weeks ahead of the event.

To see a flavour of previous Sheffield Beer Weeks you can view via the website’s Events Database and the 2019 printed guide online. It features contributions from British Guild of Beer Writers’ members Emma Inch (2019 Beer Writer of the Year), Jane Peyton and beer historian Ron Pattinson: https://issuu.com/exposed_magazine/docs/sheffbeerweek_0219

Head to http://sheffieldbeerweek.co.uk for more information.

Jules Gray

Photographs by Mark Newton.

Local Breweries offering home delivery of beer

Local pubs doing takeaway and/or delivery of food & drink

Council calls for support for nightlife

Posted on by Guest

One of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and its lockdowns has been nightlife, with many businesses facing an uphill battle to bring back their venues and events when restrictions ease. Sheffield City Council has today called on the Government to support the sector so that the city’s much loved pubs, bars and clubs can recover from the financial impact of Covid-19, which has seen many businesses forced to remain closed for nearly a year.

Sheffield has over a thousand businesses offering a huge range of experiences in the night-time economy, which also includes live music, exhibitions and cinema, as well as a reputation for hosting many internationally renowned events and festivals, such as Tramlines, Sensoria, MelaninFest, Sheffield Beer Week and Sheffield Doc/Fest. These businesses support nearly 12,000 jobs directly, and many more through the gig economy and their supply chains.

Alongside industry partners such as UNIGHT, a not-for-profit organisation that represents Sheffield’s night-time community, and CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) the Council is calling on the Government to put practical support and funding in place to ensure the survival of businesses that play a key role in Sheffield’s identity and attract residents, visitors, students, and investment to the city.

The Council has submitted its proposals to the All-Party Parliamentary Inquiry into the night-time economy. These include:

  • A continuation of the furlough scheme, business rates relief and 5% VAT relief for the rest of 2021
  • Funds to be allocated to encourage the creation of new businesses and to enable training for new staff entering the sector
  • A national campaign aimed at restoring consumer confidence and encouraging people to continue to spend local when restrictions are lifted
  • Ensuring a level playing field between pubs, restaurants, takeaways and shops so that pubs have a lifeline during the current lockdown

Cllr Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Member for Business and Investment at Sheffield City Council, said: “We have iconic venues and events in Sheffield that are known worldwide and are an integral part of our appeal as a visitor destination. That there is something for everyone is central to Sheffield’s uniqueness, and we simply cannot afford to lose these much-loved and valuable assets and their vital contribution to the local economy.

“The Council is calling on the Government to support these businesses who have been hardest hit by the pandemic so that when the time is right, they can come back fighting and provide the vibrant nightlife we are all so looking forward to experiencing again.”

Nick Simmonite, Chair of UNIGHT and Manager of the Frog and Parrot, said:

“So many businesses I work with are on their knees, because of the pandemic. Many will not survive. I hope that Government will listen to those working in the industry, who know and love it and who have worked hard to protect both business and our customers, throughout this unprecedented time. With support, we will bounce back. We are ready to provide the services and experiences that we absolutely know our people are going to want right now.”

Dave Pickersgill, Pub Heritage Officer of CAMRA Sheffield said:

“The Government should realise the immense value of pubs to communities, individuals, and the economy – and it should protect them and allow them to trade on a par with restaurants and shops. Pubs are essential to our local economy and we should be doing all we can to support them to survive through these difficult times, not hindering them.”

The All-Party Parliamentary Group is calling for evidence from night-time economy businesses, employees, freelancers and consumers to share their views on the challenges facing the sector, its importance to our society and economy, and how nightlife can be reopened. Members of the public, employers, employees and freelancers are asked to submit their views to the inquiry via htntia.co.uk/appg.

UPDATE:

The report is now published and is available to download.