Castle Inn Pub

Popped in for Sunday dinner. Very good value indeed. 3 courses for £13. Very nice food, tasty, hot. Very welcoming young waitress, very polite. Will return for sure.

The Castle Inn has 3 or 4 real ales on at most times, usually Deuchars IPA, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Black Sheep, which are all kept extremely well.

The carvery on Sunday is great value and the food during the rest of the week is of a good standard.

Overall a very welcoming pub with comfortable lounge, restaurant and old-style tap room.

The Castle Inn on Twentywell Road in Bradway is preparing for a change in leadership after current landlord Maurice Crookes confirmed that his tenancy has been terminated with immediate effect.

Crookes said he was given two weeks to clear his belongings before another manager takes over. His departure follows a dispute with the pub company Stonegate involving sales, investment, and rent. He and his wife Wendy had taken on the pub a year ago after a period of closure.

In a message posted to the pub's Facebook page, Crookes announced a farewell party for 22nd November, which includes twenty per cent off drinks. He noted that the event will be cash only because the pub's card machine would have been returned.

Although leaving the Castle Inn, Crookes said he will continue running the Millhouses pub on Abbeydale Road. He added that they plan to serve hot roast pork sandwiches there for the Steel City derby on 23rd November.

A Stonegate spokesperson stated that the tenancy agreement was terminated due to what they described as contractual breaches by the tenant. They confirmed that a new tenant will run the Castle Inn from 26th November and that all existing bookings will be honoured.

Malcolm Bough, who partnered with Maurice and Wendy when they reopened the Castle Inn in late 2024, is no longer associated with the pub.

The Castle Inn, a historic village pub on Twentywell Road in Bradway, is set to reopen its doors under new ownership. Following its unexpected closure in August, the pub will once again become a hub for the community, thanks to the experienced hands of Maurice Crookes, his wife Wendy, and their business partner Malcolm Bough.

Maurice Crookes, a seasoned publican and former owner of The Millhouses pub, has come out of retirement to take on this new challenge. Joining forces with Malcolm Bough, the former proprietor of the White Swan, the team aims to revitalise The Castle Inn and restore its place at the heart of the community.

"This is my fourth last pub," Maurice joked. "I retired 12 months ago, but I just couldn't pass up this opportunity. We're excited to reopen and make it a space where the community feels welcome."

Ahead of its reopening, the pub is undergoing significant renovations, particularly in the kitchen. Once the doors open, Malcolm will spearhead the catering side, offering a menu of "traditional British fare" designed to please locals and visitors alike.

The pub will also introduce lower prices for drinks, aiming to attract a broad clientele, from neighbourhood regulars to those exploring the scenic walking routes in the area.

Maurice emphasised his commitment to making The Castle Inn more than just a pub. "You can't just open a pub, put some dominoes on the table, and expect people to come," he said. "We want to engage with the local community and provide what they want."

The team plans to host various community events and initiatives, including quiz nights, book clubs, and charity fundraisers. They're also inviting local groups to use the pub as a meeting space.

In line with their love for dogs, the pub's first community event will be a unique dog beauty competition. Categories will include the cutest, fluffiest, and most intelligent dogs, celebrating the area's many canine companions.

"We're a nation of dog lovers," Maurice noted, "and we want to make sure the pub is a place where everyone, including dog owners, feels welcome."

The reopening is just the beginning. Plans are already in place for further improvements, including redecorating the tap room, reinstating the fireplaces, re-upholstering furniture, and reopening the beer garden by next summer.

The Castle Inn's new chapter promises to blend tradition with modern community-focused touches. It is expected to reopen before Christmas, just in time to bring festive cheer back to Bradway.