Sportsman Inn Pub

It is some years since I visited the Sportsman (my loss). Dropped in today with my granddaughter for some lunch. What a treat! A friendly, warm welcome when we arrived; a good and varied choice of meals on the blackboard.

We both opted for the steak and scampi at £10.50, one medium-rare and one well-done. They came cooked exactly as they had been ordered, with chips, peas, mushrooms and 8 pieces of very decent scampi. A bowl of onion rings on the side to share were perfect (real onion rings).

With a glass of water and a lime and lemon the grand total was £21.50, an absolute bargain.

We will be back!

This is a smashing little pub on the western edge of the city. The weekly highlight though is probably the pub quiz that takes place every Tuesday evening from 10PM - presided over by the hilarious Sheffield Wednesday devotee "Gillie", himself ably assisted by the glamorous Annie behind the bar.

The pub offers a range of tasty bar meals, such as corned beef fritters with egg and chips, chili con carne, and lasagne, and has the award-winning Timothy Taylor's Landlord's bitter on tap - a reason in itself for dropping by.

Inside, the pub has a bar area best described as cosy, but a bigger than average car park means that it is easy to park and pick the car up in the morning if necessary.

Quiz night is capped by "sit down bingo", giving punters the opportunity to leave a few quid better off, and the generally homely and welcoming atmosphere makes this a fine establishment that needs to be supported and patronised as much as possible.

The Sportsman pub in Lodge Moor has closed its doors once again, less than a year after it was reopened by James and Tamsin Kaminski. The couple, who took over the pub in March 2024, decided to step away from the business due to financial pressures, officially shutting down operations on 8th February 2025.

The Kaminskis had a personal connection to the venue, having celebrated their wedding there just six months before taking over as landlords. However, after an "extremely challenging" trading month, they announced via Facebook that they had no choice but to bring the closure forward. The final day of business coincided with a day of Six Nations rugby viewing, marking a bittersweet end to their tenure.

"We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here and have invested significantly emotionally and financially," they stated. "However, the cost of running The Sportsman is beyond what we can continue to invest in as a family."

Their decision to leave was initially announced in January, with the couple making it clear they would not be extending their lease. Despite their efforts to keep the business going, financial realities ultimately forced their hand. They expressed gratitude to their customers, staff, family, and friends for their support, while also acknowledging the challenge of following in the footsteps of the previous long-serving landlady, Jill Hoffman.

The Sportsman had previously been closed for six months before the Kaminskis took over, following the passing of Hoffman, a much-loved figure in the local community. Now, with the pub once again seeking new tenants, its future remains uncertain. Stonegate, the pub's owner, is currently looking for replacements to take on the lease.

For the people of Lodge Moor and beyond, The Sportsman has long been a well-known establishment. Whether it will reopen under new management remains to be seen, but for now, its closure marks another chapter in the ongoing struggles of the UK's pub industry.

After a hiatus of six months, The Sportsman in Lodge Moor on the outskirts of Sheffield is gearing up to reopen next week.

Situated on Redmires Road at one of the highest points in the city, The Sportsman closed in September 2023 following the passing of its longstanding proprietor, Jill Hoffman. Jill's death prompted an outpouring of tributes from the local community, including heartfelt accolades from Hallam Rangers, the junior football team that frequently played nearby and benefited from Jill's dedicated service over the years.

However, the dawn of a new chapter beckons as a fresh management team steps in to steward the establishment forward. James and Tamsin Kaminski are the newly-appointed custodians, currently engaged in preparations to revitalise the venue for its eagerly-anticipated relaunch.

James shared that a steady stream of nearby residents has been eagerly inquiring about the reopening schedule. Preparations are underway, albeit with some background work still pending before service can resume.

"While there are a few loose ends to tie up, we're optimistic about reopening before the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend," James confirmed.

Upon reopening, patrons can expect a continuation of food service along with a mix of familiar and new beer selections.

The reopening of The Sportsman, a popular pub on Redmires Road in Lodge Moor, Sheffield, has been delayed until the new year due to essential maintenance work following the death of its long-time landlady, Jill Hoffman. The pub, closed since September 2023, had initially aimed to reopen by Christmas. Pub company Stonegate expressed regret for the delay and looks forward to welcoming the community back in 2024 after completing the necessary works. Ms. Hoffman, who managed the pub for over 20 years, received tributes from the local community and the Hallam and Redmires Rangers junior football club. "Gillyfest", a local event held at the pub, is well-known for its support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Sportsman Inn pub at Lodge Moor attracts a variety of customers, but none more bizarre than those that drop out of the sky! Due to the fact that the pub has a large adjoining field, flying enthusiasts from all over the country regularly drop in for a drink and a meal. Landlord Mike Kilner has experienced helicopters, light aircraft and microlights using the field as a landing strip. Famous visitors have included ex-Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith and MP Ann Widdecombe.