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Former Sheffield United Matchday Pub Set to Become Dixon's Milk Ices Parlour
A former matchday pub once frequented by Sheffield United supporters is set to reopen as a dessert parlour after securing council planning approval.
Sheffield City Council has granted permission for alterations at The Barrel on London Road in Highfield. The decision clears the way for businessman Sadik Ibrahim to bring Dixon's Milk Ices to the vacant premises.
Because the proposed milkshake and dessert shop shares the same official use class as the property's most recent occupant, full planning permission for a change of use was not required. Ibrahim only needed sign-off for new external signage and modifications to the shopfront.
According to the council officer's report, the last lawful use of the ground floor was a restaurant called D'Ahni's, which falls under the identical planning category as the planned ice cream venue.
Approved alterations include removing the existing frames and front wall to make way for enlarged windows, full-length glazing down to the floor, and a fully glazed entrance door. An artist's impression submitted as part of the application features the Dixon's Milk Ices branding across the new front.
Dixon's is a Huddersfield-based business founded in 1961. The company has since grown from two original spots in Huddersfield to five shops across West Yorkshire, including branches in Leeds and Bradford, alongside delivery app operations.
The London Road address has seen several changes in recent years. Built in 1882, The Barrel Inn operated for decades as a traditional drinking spot, known for drawing crowds of Blades fans on matchdays and sporting an exterior paint scheme of red and white to match the football club's colours.
The pub closed its doors in November 2022. It subsequently traded as D'Ahni's Bar & Grill, during which time the exterior was repainted in yellow, green, and black. Planning documents confirm the building is currently empty ahead of the planned refit.
The Belfry Brings in Parking Cameras to Deter Non-Customers
The Belfry on Eckington Road in Beighton has installed parking cameras to stop drivers who are not using the pub from taking spaces away from genuine visitors. The pub hired Britannia Parking to manage the site and protect bays for customers after finding non-guests regularly filling the large car park.
The premises sits directly opposite Sothall Medical Centre, whose patients often use the pub's spaces. The car park also sees heavy traffic during drop-off and pick-up times for nearby Westfield School. Parking on adjacent roads is restricted, with double yellow lines running along Eckington Road and covering the first 100 yards of Hartland Avenue at the side of the pub.
This move makes The Belfry the second Sheffield venue to introduce parking cameras in recent weeks. The Fox House at Longshaw took similar action after its large free car park was regularly filled by drivers while the pub itself stayed quiet.
Britannia Parking handles enforcement by purchasing driver addresses from the DVLA. The company issues letters demanding £100 fines, which are reduced to £60 if paid within 14 days.
A spokesperson for The Belfry explained the change: "We want our customers to be able to park in our car park when they visit the Belfry. On some occasions, however, we have found that non-guests are using the car park so spaces become more scarce for customers. To overcome this, we have introduced a new parking system. Parking continues to be free of charge for genuine pub customers."
Under the new rules, customers must log their vehicle registration details at the bar or entrance upon arrival. Visitors are also urged to keep their receipts after ordering.
If a legitimate customer ends up receiving a penalty notice by mistake, Greene King has an appeals process in place. The pub spokesperson added: "In the event that genuine pub guests mistakenly receive a parking notice charge following a visit to the pub, we encourage them to contact the Greene King Customer Relations team - [email protected] - with details of the date and time of their visit, their order receipt and the parking notice charge reference number, and a cancellation of the charge will be processed."
Search Steps Up for New Landlord to Reopen The Anvil
Plans are underway to reopen The Anvil, a popular Sheffield pub that has stood empty for several months. Located on Stannington Road, near Malin Bridge, the venue shut its doors in May following the departure of its previous landlords.
Pub operator Stonegate Pub Partners is now actively searching for a new licensee to take over the helm. The pub company classifies the venue as a busy, wet-led community local positioned at the centre of its surrounding neighbourhood, noting that it already benefits from an established following of regular customers.
Pav Sharma, regional manager at Stonegate Pub Partners, described The Anvil as a pub with a solid local following, a welcoming atmosphere, and a respected standing in the area. Trade typically peaks over the weekends, while weekday footfall draws consistently from nearby residents alongside walkers and dog owners. The site is considered well suited to running traditional pub activities, such as quiz nights, live music, community events, and televised sports, in addition to hosting local sports teams. Company representatives view these offerings as central to the venue's appeal and see an opportunity for an incoming operator to pick up from an existing trading foundation.
Stonegate is marketing the tenancy under a Fixed Term Tenancy agreement. To assist incoming operators, the commercial terms currently include flexible deal arrangements alongside a reduced rental rate for the first year of operation.
The Fox House Installs Parking Cameras to Tackle Non-Customer Overuse
The Fox House on Hathersage Road has introduced a new camera-controlled parking system following years of offering free parking to motorists. The popular Peak District venue sits close to the Longshaw National Trust estate and Burbage moors, both of which attract large numbers of Sheffield residents. Its massive site can accommodate more than 100 vehicles, but the area is routinely filled at weekends with walkers, runners, cyclists, and van enthusiasts who remain parked there for long stretches of time. A source stated that on certain occasions, the car park has been completely full while the pub itself remained empty.
Euro Car Parks has taken over management of the space, putting up warning signs, an automatic number plate recognition camera, and an internal registration console positioned near the bar. The enforcement measures mean non-customers leaving their vehicles on the property face letters demanding £100 parking charge notices.
A spokesperson for The Fox House confirmed the monitoring system was put in place because genuine customers had found themselves unable to park. The spokesperson explained that visitors planning to use the venue simply need to type their car registration details into tablets installed inside the pub and restaurant, which continues to provide them with free parking for the duration of their visit. Signs have been mounted across the site and inside the building to inform guests, and staff have been asked to alert visitors directly. For motorists who pull in but decide not to stay, an automatic grace period of around 15 minutes is built into the setup to let them leave without penalty. While the pub's staff can help motorists challenge incorrect fines, overall administration remains with Euro Car Parks, which operates several parking sites across the surrounding area.
New Future For Handsworth Pub The New Anglers Following Chain Takeover
A popular pub in Handsworth has entered a new chapter following a change in ownership earlier this month. The New Anglers, located in the heart of Handsworth, saw its previous operators call last orders for the final time on 16th August, after the premises was acquired by pub company Trust Inns Ltd.
The family-run venue had built a steady following, known for screening live football and running regular entertainment such as quiz nights. Landlord and landlady Ruth and Tom confirmed their departure in a Facebook post, sharing that the closure came about due to circumstances outside their control. They explained that following the sale of the building, they were unable to reach an agreement with the new buyers that would allow them to stay on.
Trust Inns Ltd, a national company operating more than 350 establishments, has now taken over the site. According to the departing management, the venue will continue operating as a pub under the new ownership rather than closing permanently. Ruth and Tom noted that the larger chain has the financial resources needed to invest in the building, which was beyond the scope of their independent operation.
While the exact duration of the handover period was not confirmed at the time of their departure, Ruth and Tom mentioned they had spoken to the incoming operators about the pub's standing in the local neighbourhood. Based on those discussions, they anticipated that Trust Inns Ltd would keep the community focus intact and potentially reopen the kitchen facilities.
In their message to locals, the pair thanked their staff and customers for their backing over recent years, describing the venture as a short-lived dream that had nevertheless brought plenty of lasting friendships. They also expressed their apologies to customers whose advance bookings could not be honoured following the handover on 16th August. The announcement prompted a large response from local patrons on social media, with many customers thanking the couple for their work running the establishment.
Sheffield Pub The Albion Hosts Launch of Don Broco and Piglove Beer Collaboration
Sheffield drinkers were the first in the country to sample a new limited-edition craft beer collaboration between Leeds-based Piglove Brewing Co. and UK rock band Don Broco.
The launch took place on 14th August at The Albion on London Road, a pub known for its live music and spacious beer garden. Members of Don Broco attended the event to meet fans and pour pints from behind the bar, followed by an intimate live performance at the venue.
The collaboration features two distinct beers created through a partnership formed after the band met the Piglove team at their Nightmare Tripping release show in Leeds. Having previously released a tea and coffee line named Don Brewco and a hot chocolate called Don Cocoa, the band decided to move into brewing.
In a statement about the project, the band said: "We're super excited to be collaborating with PigLove Brewing to release not one, but two Broco beers. Having dipped our toe into the beverage industry with our tea & coffee range Don Brewco, followed up by our hot chocolate Don Cocoa, we leapt at the chance to try something a little stronger, partnering up with the beer wizards at PigLove. Sharing our love of experimentation, big sounds & big flavours, we met the team in Leeds at our Nightmare Tripping release show and were bowled over by their passion for all things brewing. We can't wait for our fans to try these two very different but equally delicious beers."
Marcos Ramirez, Founder and Managing Director of Piglove Brewing Co., noted that the brewery and the band share a common outlook on loud music and loud beer, adding that the releases are the result of that mutual admiration meeting a mash tun.
The Sheffield date served as the opening stop of a three-event tour, with subsequent launches held on 15th August at Piglove by the River in Leeds and on 16th August at Big Red in Holloway, London. Both collaboration beers are available on tap and in cans across independent pubs, bars, and bottle shops nationwide, as well as through Piglove's online store.
Two Favourite Sheffield Pubs Named Among the 22 Best in the UK by Time Out
Two favourite Sheffield pubs have been named among the best in the country after making Time Out's prestigious list of the 22 best UK pubs. The popular travel and entertainment magazine pitted some of the nation's finest boozers against one another, celebrating the venues for their unique charm. While Manchester's Peveril of the Peak took the top spot in the rankings released on July 24, Sheffield firmly maintained its status as a world-famous pub city thanks to its two standout contributions.
Coming in seventh place overall is the Rutland Arms on Brown Street in the city centre. The venue was highlighted for its impressive choice of beers, delicious food, and for being a rare kind of pub that is bursting with personality. Writing for Time Out, Daniel Dylan Wray praised the venue's distinctive character, noting: "There is a rugged charm to this low-key but excellent Sheffield pub that has been my go-to for many years. After entering its gloriously yellow tiled art deco exterior, you are welcomed into a place, filled with various nick nacks, that has no time for pretentiousness or fancy adornments."
Sheffield's success continued further down the rankings with the Kelham Island Tavern, which secured 12th place. Writers celebrated the establishment specifically for the quality and selection of ales on offer. Highlighting its central importance to the local drinking culture, Time Out contributor Eloise Feilden remarked: "Kelham Island Tavern is to Sheffield's pub scene what barley is to, well, beer. Not a fan of real ale? Take a trip to the Kelham Island Tavern and come back to me."
Together, the national recognition for both the Rutland Arms and Kelham Island Tavern reinforces the celebrated standing of Sheffield's pub scene.
Catalonian-Inspired Café-Bar "Cats" Opens on Glossop Road in Broomhill
A new Catalonian-inspired café-bar named Cats has opened in Sheffield following an extensive nine-month transformation of a former takeaway in Broomhill.
The venue has been launched by Sheffield founders Sam Swire, Tom Walker, Nicky Swire, and Jenny Swire, who took over the long-empty unit previously occupied by Nibbles Pizza. The idea for the café-bar was shaped by the founders' family connections to Barcelona, southern France, and the wider Catalan region. Its name serves as a play on Catalonia, and the space incorporates subtle nods to cats throughout.
Opening in early August, the launch followed months of demanding renovation work. The team stripped back the building while navigating structural issues, flooding, and a lack of electricity. Co-founder Sam Swire explained that after months of stripping tiles and plaster, it finally feels like the building can breathe again, noting that what they have put in place is closer to a café-bar you would find in a European square, dropped onto Glossop Road instead.
The interior design reflects this stripped-back approach, featuring unfinished plaster walls, exposed brick, reclaimed flooring, and a concrete bar.
During the day, Cats serves fresh pastries alongside coffee made with beans from local Sheffield roaster Cuppers Choice. For the evening crowd, the bar offers a selection of wine and beer, including Barcelona lager Moritz on draught.
Cats is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 8am until 11pm.
Historic Sheffield Pub The Foresters Temporarily Closes for Major £250,000 Refurbishment
Visitors heading to the popular Sheffield city centre venue The Foresters on Division Street have been met with a sign on the door stating that the pub is closed until further notice due to "unforeseen circumstances" with apologies for any inconvenience. However, bosses at the historic venue have moved to reassure customers that its future is rosy, clarifying that the two-month closure is actually to make way for a major £250,000 refurbishment.
Andy Crawford, managing director of the pub company Pub People, which has owned the venue on the corner of Division Street and Rockingham Street for two years, confirmed the plans. He explained that they have closed the venue for a refurbishment, with work scheduled to begin imminently ahead of a planned reopening in October. The extensive project is set to see improvements carried out both inside and outside the building, which will include dedicated work to enhance the venue's beer garden.
The Foresters is a landmark Victorian establishment with a rich history in the city centre. Describing itself as a long-standing fixture in the heart of Sheffield, the pub has been an active part of the local social scene since 1828, dating back nearly 200 years.
Over the decades, the historic building has undergone several changes in identity and style. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the premises traded under the name The Yorick. For several years following that period, the venue operated as The Gatsby, functioning as a cocktail bar that served Mexican food, including tacos.
In 2023, the site returned to its traditional roots when it reopened under its original historic name, The Foresters, transforming back into a traditional pub. That transition included a small-scale redesign, which featured a repainted frontage in a new colour. This upcoming round of investment marks the next major chapter in the venue's ongoing story as it prepares to welcome back city centre pub-goers this autumn.
True North Brew Co Sells Three Venues to Secure Future
Prominent Sheffield pub company True North Brew Co has announced the sale of three of its venues to stabilise the business and protect its future during what has been described as some of the most challenging trading conditions in recent memory.
The sale includes two Sheffield establishments, The Old Grindstone in Crookes and The British Oak in Mosborough, as well as The Milton Arms located in Elsecar, Barnsley.
Kane Yeardley, owner of True North Brew Co, noted that the hospitality sector continues to navigate severe trading difficulties driven by rising costs and economic pressures. Addressing the move, Yeardley stated that selling the sites was not an easy decision, but represented a necessary step to secure the long-term future of the company. He also affirmed that the business is committed to supporting its teams through the transition while ensuring its remaining venues continue to thrive.
The move comes three years after True North fell into administration as a result of the cost of living crisis. The firm bounced back immediately through a pre-pack sale, which enabled it to shed its debts, preserve 325 jobs, and remain in business.
Both Sheffield sites, The Old Grindstone and The British Oak, were acquired by Punch Pubs & Co. Punch has stated that both locations will receive a lick of paint and will continue to be run by their existing publicans before officially joining Punch’s managed partnership estate. Andrew Cannons of Punch highlighted that both pubs possess a great reputation and will continue to thrive with Punch's support and training.
Following the transaction, True North Brew Co is left with nine venues across the region. Its remaining portfolio includes Sheffield destinations such as the Forum, Abbeydale Picture House, The Broadfield, Waggon and Horses, The Riverside, Punch Bowl, and The Common Room, along with the Crown & Anchor and True North Bar in Barnsley. The business also operates a gin distillery, though beer production was paused in September 2025 after the departure of its long-standing head brewer, Dean Hollingworth.