Red Deer Pub

News for Red Deer:

• 8th June 2026

  A popular Sheffield city centre pub is set for an exterior makeover under plans submitted to Sheffield City Council.
  
  Star Pubs and Bars has applied for planning permission to carry out improvements to the outside of the Red Deer pub on Pitt Street, just off West Street. The venue is well known among university students and staff and serves the local community.
  
  The proposed works would see parts of the front and side of the building updated with glazed brick slip tiling. Planning documents describe the scheme as involving "minor works to enhance the external frontage and partial side by tiling sections of the timber frontage with glazed brick slips with new mouldings to the timber pilasters".
  
  A separate application has also been submitted seeking approval to replace the pub's existing sign and other exterior signage.
  
  According to a statement accompanying the application, the Red Deer currently offers real cask ales and food, alongside a first-floor function room that can be used for community meetings, presentations and by university students for studying and socialising. The pub also has a small beer garden at the rear.
  
  The statement says the aim of the project is to "enhance and uplift this well-loved community pub", creating "a new and enticing look to the front" of the building.
  
  The pub's mural, which features on the side elevation, will remain as part of the plans.
  
  Planning documents state that the proposed redesign has been developed to improve the facility for both the pub and the wider community. The application adds that the changes are intended to create "a more attractive amenity for the area".
  
  The proposals are currently awaiting a decision from Sheffield City Council.

• 12th August 2024

  The historic Red Deer pub in Sheffield, a city centre institution known for its traditional cask ales, is ushering in a new era under the leadership of its new landlord, Jack Donnelly. As the pub approaches its 200th anniversary, Donnelly has unveiled a fresh look for the establishment along with exciting plans for its future, aiming to breathe new life into this local favourite.
  
  The Red Deer, located on Pitt Street, has been a staple of Sheffield's pub scene for nearly two centuries. Recently taken over by On Point Pubs, the venue closed its doors for ten days in mid-July to undergo a much-needed "general spruce up." This renovation, spearheaded by Donnelly, included new flooring and walls, the restoration of the coal fireplaces, and the sanding down and re-varnishing of the tables. The result is a brighter, refreshed space that honours the pub's rich history while looking forward to the future.
  
  Donnelly, originally from Liverpool and previously at The Crown Inn in Elsecar, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture, noting the unique atmosphere of managing a city centre pub. "It's different because it's in the city centre and it's got a different vibe to The Crown Inn," he said. While the summer has brought a slow start, it has provided Donnelly with valuable time to connect with regular patrons and gather their input on what they'd like to see as the pub evolves.
  
  The Red Deer remains committed to its legacy of offering a wide selection of cask ales, with nine Cask Marque Accredited casks available. In addition to ales, the pub serves a variety of ciders, and bottled and canned drinks, ensuring that there's something for everyone.
  
  A major highlight of Donnelly’s plan is the upcoming revamp of the pub's food menu, set to roll out in September. The pub is currently seeking a new chef, as the current chef, Rory Simons, is relocating to Australia. Despite the changes, the menu will continue to feature the popular gluten-free and vegan options that have become a hallmark of the Red Deer.
  
  Beyond the culinary updates, Donnelly has plans to reintroduce open mic nights on Thursdays, which will start in the coming weeks, and continue the much-loved Tuesday quiz nights. Looking to diversify the pub's offerings further, Donnelly is also working on creating a retro games room upstairs, adjacent to the free-to-hire function room. This new space aims to provide a nostalgic entertainment option, appealing to both locals and visitors alike.
  
  While the future of the Red Deer is still unfolding, Donnelly remains optimistic. "We don't know what the pub will end up becoming, especially in the current climate with pubs closing all the time. It's really hard to constantly keep coming up with ideas that are outside the box and a bit more niche," he acknowledged. However, his excitement for the busier months ahead, particularly with the return of students to the city, is palpable. "For me, the best part of the job is seeing people coming through the doors. We see all walks of life," he shared.
  
  To further engage with the community, the Red Deer is offering a 10 percent discount for both CAMRA members and those working in the hospitality industry, underscoring its commitment to remaining a welcoming and accessible venue.
  
  As the Red Deer approaches its 200th year, it's clear that under Jack Donnelly’s stewardship, this historic pub is embracing change while staying true to the traditions that have made it a beloved fixture in Sheffield. Whether you're a regular or a newcomer, the Red Deer's refreshed ambience, exciting plans, and warm community spirit make it a must-visit destination in the heart of the city.

• 31st January 2018

  Welbeck Abbey Brewery has partnered with Bakewell-based international development charity Village Aid to bring you "Bili-Bili"; a beer that will raise funds and awareness of the charity's life changing work.
  
  Keep your eyes peeled in the month of February for limited-edition ale "Bili Bili", a collaboration between Worksop-based microbrewery Welbeck Abbey Brewery and Bakewell-based international development charity Village Aid. Hand-crafted on the Welbeck estate, this fruity pale ale is packed with hints of zesty orange, reminiscent of the fruits of West Africa where Village Aid works.
  
  "Bili Bili" takes its name from a popular traditional alcoholic beverage brewed in rural communities in Cameroon. The drink is brewed at home, primarily using sorghum malt and is thought to have many health benefits. Village Aid works in partnership with human-rights based organisation MBOSCUDA in North-West Cameroon. They work to build peace between farming and grazing communities by increasing equitable access to natural resources such as land and clean water and working with the communities to resolve violent conflict peacefully. Find out more about this and Village Aid's other life-changing projects in West Africa by visiting their website: www.villageaid.org.
  
  This charity cask ale will feature in local pubs through Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and South Yorkshire. The design is bright and colourful and features the silhouette of the African long-horned cow, an animal central to the livelihoods of grazing communities in this region of Cameroon.
  
  10 pence from the sale of every pint of "Bili Bili" will go directly to Village Aid's projects in West Africa, enabling their life-changing work to continue into 2018. If you run a pub and would like to find out more about supporting this project please contact Welbeck Abbey Brewery on 01909 512 539.
  
  The launch event takes place Friday 2nd February 2018 at the Red Deer pub on Pitt Street in Sheffield city centre from 6PM.