Hi,

My first post!

I am trying to gain as much information as possible about the Ball Inn pub on Upwell Street.

I know the pub is currently closed, under restoration and due to reopen before Christmas but I am after some history!

I also know the pub has a 'paranormal' link so any information (experiences!) would be gratefully received.

Basically I have been asked to create a small website in conjunction with the reopening but dispite lots of 'Googling' I have been unable to find much information.

Many thanks

Andy

Hi Andy, welcome to the Forum if you try the Grimesthorpe thread you will probably find that some of them used to drink in there. We had our wedding reception there and so did my brother.

i thought the ball had been renovated not so long ago are they extrending into old dennis's shop? i used to penny for a guy outside when i was a nipper well there and the sheffield arms and used to play snooker with my mate there before we moved up to full size tables

Hi andy coke, I have been told that the ball is being turned into a restaurant and a gym in the old garages down the back, its been bought by 2 boxers. as gemini2 said we both had our wedding receptions there when Don and Irene were the licencees but quite a few people have had it since then.
As gemini2 said try the link 'any one come from grimesthorpe'
cheers.

hi kj-venom, are you an old grimesthorpe lad. If so have look on the grimesthorpe thread.

hi kj-venom, are you an old grimesthorpe lad. If so have look on the grimesthorpe thread.

i am indeed a grimesthorpe lad lived on southwell road from about 3yrs to 18yrs old

Hi,
I also know the pub has a 'paranormal' link so any information (experiences!) would be gratefully received.

AndyWe conducted a Investigation a couple of years back, you can find our report here. http://www.sheffieldparanormal.co.uk/page9.htm

Cheers Mick.

What a great pub the Ball Inn was in 1968, when I began my drinking career.

I have been addicted to Stones ever since !

Don Greaves was the landlord.

People I remember frequented the pub in those days, Graham Lee , Ken Rawson (my brother), Mick Hill, Barry Loukes. Roger Frankland.

I used to enjoy the odd game of snooker and also played football in goal for the pub team, the only players I can remember were Fred Radford and Keith Cordon.

Hello again and thanks to those of you who responded to my initial post!

I have never been in the Ball Inn pub so please forgive my next question...

My guess is that there is (was) a 'tap room' side and a lounge?

Also does anyone know roughly how old the building is?

Finally, (for now!) what are your thoughts on it reopening?

I don't have anything to do with the property I am just trying to get information so I can create a website for the new owners.

Thanks again!

Andy

as i remember it as you went in to the left was a small lounge bar to teh right was the tap room and to the rear of the tap room a dedicated snooker room with a 3/4 size snooker table

its good to see an estate pub being regenerated and not closed down to fall into disrepair, pubs like these are focal points for the community

I am one of the owners of the Ball Inn on Upwell Street and am glad to say that the doors are now open for business! The pub has undergone a massive refurbishment and has received great reviews from everyone that has been in so far.

We have kept the pub in its original format having two seperate rooms. One quieter more traditional tap room and a larger second room with a sporting theme - Ringside. With large screens, brand new 3/4 snooker table and decorated with sporting memorabilia.

We are looking for any old pictures of the pub or surrounding areas for framing to put in our tap room, kind of a step back in time, your help would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to welcome everyone, old customers of the "old ball" and new to come and see the place for yourself. I am sure you will find the building warm and welcoming.

I am one of the owners of the Ball Inn on Upwell Street and am glad to say that the doors are now open for business! The pub has undergone a massive refurbishment and has received great reviews from everyone that has been in so far.

We have kept the pub in its original format having two seperate rooms. One quieter more traditional tap room and a larger second room with a sporting theme - Ringside. With large screens, brand new 3/4 snooker table and decorated with sporting memorabilia.

We are looking for any old pictures of the pub or surrounding areas for framing to put in our tap room, kind of a step back in time, your help would be greatly appreciated.

We would like to welcome everyone, old customers of the "old ball" and new to come and see the place for yourself. I am sure you will find the building warm and welcoming.




Hi, went in the ball christmas eve, bit quiet, but then most pubs were, well done, looks good, the area needs a decent pub, please keep it that way,will probably be in friday night,good luck I hope it does well,if not already I will mention it on the thread 'any one from grimesthorpe'
cheers.

Hi, went in the ball christmas eve, bit quiet, but then most pubs were, well done, looks good, the area needs a decent pub, please keep it that way,will probably be in friday night,good luck I hope it does well,if not already I will mention it on the thread 'any one from grimesthorpe'
cheers.

Many thanks for your kind comments!

In all honesty the pub has done a lot better than we thought. We were struggling a bit with time and had wanted to open a few days earlier, but we encountered a few problems that needed sorting first.

The buiding was in a terrible state when we bought it eight or so weeks ago. Leaking roof, copper piping stolen throughout the building, floors and ceilings all rotten - that was just the beginning! The company that managed the refurb cannot be praised enough - Well done guys from S.L Interiors. At some point ill post some pictures on here, a sort of before and after. The difference is astounding!

Without any formal advertising (apart from one banner outside that still says opening soon!) the place has managed a good steady trade for the three days it has been open. Hopefully this will continue and grow to become a busy ongoing concern. We are looking to restore the place to its former glory! Bring back the sporting aspect to the pub with the games league teams, fishing club and football teams, along with the usual pub attractions, pub quiz, open the box and of course happy hour!

Hopefully we can create a place where people will enjoy coming to........

Hello Ball inn,
Do yer serve John Smiths, Thanks.

Hello Ball inn,
Do yer serve John Smiths, Thanks.

We have John Smiths, Stones and Magnet, Carling, Fosters and Stella, Strongbow and Guinness, all on draught. A wide selection of bottles too.

Hi Ya Ball Inn,
Thanks for that info,I,ll make it a must for today.

Hello Ballinn
Called in yesterday and its thumbs up,(not just a lick of paint) but total refurb,nice seating,leather suites. Well done hope it all goes well.

just wondering if there was a non smoking area by any chance?
If not, is it very smoky? I'm just asking because I'd like to come tonight with husband and maybe some friends but I'm 8 month-pregnant and would like to avoid too smoky places.
If I don't get replies, I'll come and have a nosy later anyway to check for myself. :)

well, just got back from the Ball Inn and it's thumbs up from me too. Not only we got a warm welcome but also the tap room was not too smoky for me, which meant I was fine sitting there for a few hours. The place looks really nice and feels cosy.
Well done and good luck. We'll definitely come back.
:thumbsup:

Any cask ale?

[QUOTE=walt]What a great pub the Ball Inn was in 1968, when I began my drinking career.

Heyup walt, thar only a yungun, I use to go there for a game of snooker in 1961, my mate from the Shirecliffe was courting the landlords daughter at the time.
I can see the next Grimesthorpe reunion being held there, Ha Ha.

Hi skippy, and wht not, when I went in Christmas Eve, it looked great,so much so I will probably be in this friday night. I used to go in regular at one time but it went right down the tubes (or the dyke, next to it) and so started going into the 'Arms' then that went down as well, so ended up going over Brightside to the Railway.

well, just got back from the Ball Inn and it's thumbs up from me too. Not only we got a warm welcome but also the tap room was not too smoky for me, which meant I was fine sitting there for a few hours. The place looks really nice and feels cosy.
Well done and good luck. We'll definitely come back.
:thumbsup:

Thanks for your nice comments, its nice to know that people like the place and find it welcoming. We are still a little bit off completion, with regards to the decor, pictures, ornaments etc. which will only make the place more inviting once its finished within the next few days.

After the xmas and new years period we are hoping to start a number of regular events that will hopefully put bums on seats every night of the week! Pub quiz, open the box, karaoke, disco type things! If anyone has any special requests then speak up and we will endeavour to please everyone!

The Ball will have a large function room available mid january that has also been refurbished to a high level and have had a number of bookings taken already! Anyone that may find it of use please drop into the pub and speak to the landlord Dennis.

We should transfer this to the Grimesthorpe thread, after all it was part of the history of the great old place we all called home for a while.