Sheffield Pub News - November 2005

City-centre Tapas bar, Cubana, has been granted a late license by Sheffield City Council. The Cuban-style bar is allowed to open until 1:30AM on a one-year trial period. The bar had applied to open until 2AM but objections from local residents and MP, Richard Caborn, saw the proposal scaled down.

Sheffield City Council are to allow former Sheffield Wednesday footballer Carlton Palmer to open his Dam House Bar and Restaurant on Mushroom Lane and serve drinks until 1:30AM. Local residents had objected to the late license but council officers agreed a number of compromises with the bar and the license was granted.

Sheffield & District branch of CAMRA press release: Local members of CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, are ready to toast the arrival of the new common sense reforms to the licensing laws on Thursday. The new laws will mean consumers will see a much better choice of venues to enjoy a post 11PM drink in. Of course there are already a small number of bars with late licences, but these were all crowded, noisy, expensive venues, which with the exception of the Forum, do not serve real ale. From Thursday night, there will be a whole range of pubs to choose from after 11PM, including ordinary pubs where you can enjoy good beer in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Those that work late shifts and would like to enjoy a relaxing pint to unwind after work will especially appreciate this! CAMRA believes the scare stories in the media about increased disorder simply will not happen, as there will be no more early deadlines, and racing to drink as much as possible to 'beat the bell'. Those people who have had to drink lots fast are more likely to then be sick, when thrown out into the street en masse in a frustrated mood. This will be no more. Added to that, the sort of people who generally cause trouble are those who are likely to already be drinking beyond 11PM at nightclubs. The new laws also give increased powers to both the police and the council to deal with venues regularly causing problems. However, we do have the issue that those enjoying the later closing time will now add to the demand for taxi services, due to Sheffield's public transport operators failing to adapt to changing demand - we feel that the City's buses and trams should continue at least an extra hour in the evening to address this.

The landlord of the Riverside Cafe Bar near Sheffield city centre has voiced fears that onoing roadwords may put him out of business by Christmas. Construction of Sheffield's inner ring road, linking Penistone Road to The Wicker, is going on around his pub and has reportedly cut his trade by half. Work in the area around Corporation Street is due to be completed in July 2006, with the section of the road itself finished a year later.

Sheffield United footballer Alan Quinn has received a police caution after a claim that he punched 24-year-old Martin Sapcote in the face at the Pheasant Inn pub in Oughtibridge.

The Black Bull pub in Ecclesfield is continuing the tradition of carol singing in the run up to Christmas. Carols are sung at the pub from 8:30PM each Thursday evening until 22nd December.

Local ale producer Kelham Island Brewery is now releasing two special beers each month. This month sees the launch of Grande Pale and Workhouse Mary's Brown. The latter ale is name after the ghost which reputedly haunts the nearby Fat Cat pub.

Plans to close the Lions Lair pub in Sheffield city centre have been postponed until at least the New Year according to owner Fabrice Limon. The lease for the pub is on the market although, Fabrice has dropped plans to close the pub this month. The food-themed pub, which is featured in the Michelin Eating Out in Pubs Guide, will trade until the New Year, when a decision will be made about its future. Fabrice also runs the Cricket Inn pub in Totley, the only other pub in Sheffield to be featured in the Michelin guide.

Historic Sheffield restaurant Dam House reopened recently after being destroyed by fire many years ago. Now called Dam House Bar and Restaurant, the venue is owned by former Sheffield Wednesday footballer Carlton Palmer and boasts a head chef with Michelin stars to his name

Newly opened Common Room bar on Division Street was witness to violence on Friday night as a Good Samaritan ended up scarred for life. After finding himself caught up in the middle of a drunken brawl, former bar manager Jonathon Cheadle tried to summon security staff to take care of the situation. He than found himself being hit in the face with a pint glass in a cowardly attack by a drunken fool. Anyone with information about the attack, which happened around 11:05PM on Friday 5th November, should contact West Bar Police station on 0114 2964106.

Rumour has it that Burtonwood Brewery has found a new tenant for the Hare & Hounds pub in Oughtibridge. The pub is currently being run by relief managers after the previous licensee declined to renew his lease.

Enterprise Inns are looking for a new lesee for the Cannon Hotel on Castle Street in Sheffield city centre. The pub company has this to say about the opportunity: The Cannon is a very traditional Town Centre Tavern located in a busy part of Sheffield. It is a three storey brick built property. The trading area has a single bar servery and is busy with shoppers throughout the day. The Cannon is well known in the local area for its early bird trade. The Cannon is a great opportunity for a hands-on operator to further build trade in this already stable business and maximize sales through an operator who has the personality within the business and the skills to capture the loyalty of local trade. The private accommodation has three bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, toilet & bathroom. Estimated Capital Requirement £23,25

Sheffield is proud to be home to two of the UK's first completely non-smoking pubs. Both the Plough in Low Bradfield and JD Wetherspoon's Benjamin Huntsman pub in the city centre have banned customers and staff from smoking on the premises. Matthew Riley, landlord of The Plough, is enthusiastic about the benefits. He says that since stopping smoking in his pub the furnishings are cleaner and the whole place smells fresher. As an added bonus he also claims that profits are up 20% as well!

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