Sheffield Pub News - October 2005

A public bonfire had to be dampened down by firefighters after it was set alight by vandals. The bonfire, next the Wordsworth Tavern pub in Parson Cross was described by firemen as too large and had it been lit on bonfire night it would have become a danger to the pub.

After having its kitchen damaged by fire in late September (see our pub news archive for details), the Norfolk Arms pub in Chapeltown will re-open for food on 1st November.

Four Sheffield pubs have been praised by Tetley's brewery for serving quality cask ale. Rated among the best 100 pubs for cask ale in Yorkshire were the Banner Cross Hotel, Prince of Wales, Red Lion, and Walkley Cottage. The licensees of the pubs were invited to a celebration in Leeds following a trade quality initiative involving an audit by Cask Marque of all pubs in Yorkshire that server Tetley's cask beer.

Three city centre pubs have been "named and shamed" by South Yorkshire Police as repeat offenders at serving alcohol to underage customers. On the roll of shame are Bar Matrix at Charter Square, Varsity on West Street, and Sharkeys Bar on Regent Street. The pubs all allowed 16-year-old army cadets to buy alcohol whilst undercover police offices observed on Friday night.

Violence erupted outside the Arbourthorne Hotel pub in the early hours of this morning, leading to the death of a young man. Police were called to the estate pub at approximately 12:30AM on Sunday morning and found the victim, aged in his early 20s, seriously injured in the pub car park. The man head been stabbed in the chest and was taken by ambulance to the Northern General hospital but was declared dead on arrival.

A city centre pub got a shock visit from firemen on Wednesday after a car crashed into it. The elderly couple driving the car had to be cut free from the wreckage after ploughing into the Cricketers Arms. The pub was not damaged by the impact and the owners of the car were treated for shock but otherwise unhurt.

A position has arisen at the Admiral Rodney pub in Loxley that many people would just love to fill! Landlady Julie Lee is looking for an official food taster to sample the new November menu. The person lucky enough to land the role will sample the new meals as well as wines and give their feedback.

Various pubs in Sheffield have been granted extended late licenses, including the Miners Arms in Stocksbridge; the Wordsworth Tavern and Parson Cross Hotel at Parson Cross; the Hogshead at Hackenthorpe; the Robin Hood in Stannington; the Sportsman Inn at Norton Woodseats; the Rose & Crown at Stannington; the Salutation Inn at High Green; and the Old Grindstone in Crookes. The Robin Hood will be able to serve until Midnight on Monday to Thursday and until 1AM on Fridays and Saturdays. The Miners Arms was granted the same licensing hours and can also serve until 11:30PM on Sundays. The Wordsworth Tavern can serve until 11:30PM on Monday to Thursday, until 1AM Friday and Saturday, and until 11PM on Sundays. The Hogshead can serve until Midnight on Friday and Saturday and until Midnight on all other days. The Sportsman Inn can open until Midnight Thursday to Saturday, and the Parson Cross Hotel can open until 11:30PM on Sunday to Thursday, 12:30AM Friday and Saturday.

South Yorkshire real ale producer Wentworth Brewery is helping celebrate the 200th anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar by launching a commemorative beer. Limited quantities of "Trafalgar 200" will be on sale until the end of October. Ales from Wentworth Brewery are served at the Commercial pub in Chapeltown and the George & Dragon in Wentworth.

The Ship Inn pub in Barnsley has had its application for an extended 2AM license refused by the council's licensing board. The application was reportedly turned down because the pub's owners failed to show that it could meet the new licensing rules, which include preventing crime, public disorder and nuisance.

New pubs/bars added to Sheffield Pub Guide! Although it has been around for years, we realised that we did not have any details for Flares bar on Carver Street. This has now been rectified and we would appreciate any details that can be added to their page. Also added is trendy new bar Crystal, also on Carver Street. Again, any reviews or details that can be added would be appreciated.

Organisers toast a successful beer festival Following last weeks Steel City Beer Festival in Sheffield, the organisers have declared it a great success. A fantastic range of 82 draught beers were on sale at the event, and thirsty visitors drunk their way through 777 gallons - that's 6216 pints! Traditional Cider & Perry, a product that is growing in popularity, was also available, and completely sold out, with 480 pints supped. A copious amount of bottled continental beers and country wines were also drunk too - in fact extra supplies had to be rushed in mid-festival to satisfy demand! The festival saw record attendances on the Saturday, with visitors enjoying live music from 2 bands as well as the beer, plus raised money for the PDSA in the afternoon by entering the charity pub quiz. Chairman of the organising committee, Myk Eccles, said "It's been another great festival with everyone having a great time, and I'd like to thank both the customers who came to drink the beers and also all the volunteer staff who gave up their time to make it happen". CONTACT: Myk Eccles, Chairman : 07751064053

Local drinkers who are members of the Campaign for Real Ale have voted the Gardeners Rest at Neepsend as their Real Ale Pub of the Month for October. The Pub of the Month awards are designed to highlight pubs in the area that serve good beer in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere. The Gardeners Rest certainly qualifies on all counts, with well kept beers from Timothy Taylors brewery plus a number of changing guest beers from microbreweries across Britain, served by Pat, Eddy & staff who always have time for a chat, with equally friendly regulars. The pub has three rooms, the main lounge, which often has art displays on the walls, the non-smoking snug and the conservatory. The certificate will be presented at the pub on the evening of Friday 14th October, from 8PM.

A number of Sheffield's other pubs were granted late licenses by the council. From November the Thorncliffe Arms in Chapeltown can open from 10AM until Midnight on Monday to Saturday, and from 10AM until 11PM on Sunday. The Closed Shop pub in Walkley will be allowed to serve from 10AM until Midnight on Monday to Thursday, from 10AM to 1AM Friday and Saturday, and until 11PM on Sunday. The Bay Horse Inn at Pitsmoor will be allowed to serve between 11AM and 11PM on Sunday to Thursday and until 1AM Friday and Saturday.

Another pub has been granted a late license despite opposition from nearby residents. The Travellers Inn at Ecclesfield will be allowed to serve until 11PM Sunday to Thursday and until Midnight on Friday and Saturday. One hour drinking up time will apply each day. The pub had wanted to open even later but local residents complained that they are already subjected to rowdy drunks fighting, vomiting and urinating in the street.

After closing without notice on Monday, the Deep End bar has opened again under the management of Philip Mullins for receivers Mazars. It is reported that staff turned up for work on Monday only to find the pub deserted and many fixtures and fittings removed. Bar staff and bouncers' wages had not been paid, but the pub is now open for business again.

Other pubs to have their licenses extended include The Grapes on Trippet Lane in the city centre, and the Angel Inn at Woodhouse. The Grapes may now serve booze until 1AM Friday and Saturday as well as on special occasions such as St Patrick's Day, and until Midnight on Sunday to Thursday. The Angel Inn can serve from 10AM until Midnight every day despite objections over fears of noise pollution and anti-social behaviour. The Rising Sun Inn at Wincobank withdrew its application to open later.

The Fox & Duck pub in Broomhill has been granted a late license despite much opposition from local residents. The pub, popular with large numbers of nearby students, can serve alcohol until 1AM Friday and Saturdays as well as on certain public holidays, and until Midnight Sunday to Thursday. Residents living near the pub had complained to councillors of litter, noise, vomit and nuisance already attributed to late night drinkers at the pub.

After being branded a "disorder hotspot" by South Yorkshire Police, a man had his jaw shattered outside the Old Blue Ball in Hillsborough. The attack happened on 25th August as the victim was standing with friends at a cash machine adjacent to the pub.

Sheffield & District branch of CAMRA Beer of the festival competition - winners announced Last night 5 teams of tasting panels were at the venue of Sheffield's 31st Steel City Beer festival to judge the beer of the festival competition.

Every beer in the festival that is regularly brewed was tasted and scored on various areas, including aroma, hoppiness, maltiness, aftertaste and overall quality. The winner will be put forward for next years Champion Beer of Britain competition.

CATEGORY WINNERS

Standard Bitter: Wentworth WPA
Best Bitter: Bradfield Brown Cow
Mild: Arundel Sussex Mild
Stout/Porter: Woodlands Midnight Stout
Strong/Old Ale: Thornbridge Jaipur

OVERALL WINNER: THORNBRIDGE JAIPUR
RUNNER UP: Woodlands Midnight Stout

New breweries predominate this year, with both the overall winner and the runner up from breweries founded in 2004 Thornbridge Hall Country House Brewing Co, Thornbridge Hall, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell DE45 1NZ. Tel 01629 640617. Woodlands Brewing Co, Unit 5 Creamery Industrial Estate, Station Road, Wrenbury, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 8EX. Tel 01270 780730.

Also granted extended licenses were the Belfry pub in Beighton and the Rivelin Hotel in Stannington. The Rivelin Hotel will be allowed to serve alcohol until Midnight on Monday to Thursday, until 1AM Friday and Saturday, and until 12:30AM on Sunday.

Despite opposition from local residents, the Miners Arms pub in Chapeltown has been granted an extended alcohol license. The pub will be allowed to serve until Midnight on Monday to Thursday, until 1AM on Friday and Saturday, and until 11PM on Sunday. Half an hour drinking up time will apply each day. They were also granted permission for live entertainment until 11:30PM Monday to Friday and until 10:30PM on Sunday.

The licensing board also granted an extended license to the Horse & Groom pub in Gleadless Valley. They are allowed to serve from 11AM until Midnight on Monday to Thursday and until 1AM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours were also extended until 11:30PM.

Sheffield City Council has granted a late drinks license to the Rutland Hotel on Glossop Road despite claims by local residents that this would lead to "the conversion of the hotel into another public house". The hotel will be allowed to serve alcohol from 7AM until 2AM to residents and non-residents.

Please also see our latest pub news page.

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