This was posted on another forum earlier this afternoon....Just got an e-mail through today:

"The lovely Rutland is going to be closed down for good this friday (22nd) as the current owner is moving on
Please sign this petition to show your appreciation for the rutland the pub and hopefully help to keep it as a pub and not let it become a flattened pile of rubble like the yorkshire grey!!!

http://www.petitiononline.com/Rut123/petition.html

and please also pass this on!

many thanks!

http://www.myspace.com/savetherutland

Good pub the Rutland, would be a crying shame if we lost it.

Might be too late, but I urge as many people as possible to sign and try and save one of the few 'decent' city centre boozers.

That's a great shame!

I'll really miss the place. Had some great times there.

Suppose it'll end up as offices or something... :(

Serious question folks

Do these online petitions ever work ?

Another serious question - does anyone know if it's up for sale?

Oh no, I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope it can be saved

StarSparkle

I doubt myself if these things work, but you dont know unless you try. As for it being up for sale, I'm not sure. There must be some publicans in the city who could see the potential of the place and keep it's 'traditional' character?

Yeah I agree, lets hope it can be saved. I'll miss listening to Day Trip To Bangor during my lunchtime pint.

But dont fall into the same trap as most people who've signed the petition -- its NOT been announced that its going to be converted into flats or offices. The "IT SHOULD NEVER BECOME A BLOCK OF LUXURY APARTMENTS" comment is misleading. Its a statement of what shouldn't happen, not what is happening.

Yeah I agree, lets hope it can be saved. I'll miss listening to Day Trip To Bangor during my lunchtime pint.

But dont fall into the same trap as most people who've signed the petition -- its NOT been announced that its going to be converted into flats or offices. The "IT SHOULD NEVER BECOME A BLOCK OF LUXURY APARTMENTS" comment is misleading. Its a statement of what shouldn't happen, not what is happening.

True, that comment is misleading. You'd think that building would have some kind of listing to start with? It's a lovely old building.

I doubt myself if these things work


500,000 signing this petition and none of them willing and able to go and run the place, the petition won't work.


One single person who actually wants to buy the pub and run it, and the problem is solved.

I spent some very happy times there and a very thinly disguised version of the Rutland turns up in a few short stories I've written.

Unfortunately, in order to save it does require soemone to buy it and run it.

My piggy bank is distinctly empty for such an effort. :(

I hope somebody does buy it as it has been run into the ground in the last couple of years.

It was a bit poor the last time I was in...but it shouldnt close. Someone needs to take it on and turn it around.

Very sad, but not surprising - it's been on the skids for getting on for a year now.

"The lovely Rutland is going to be closed down for good this friday (22nd) as the current

But, this Friday isn't the 22nd ... if it is, I've left it far too late to send my cards out this year :o

Which Rutland?

Which Rutland?

The Rutland Arms, Brown Street

Rutland Arms (http://www.sheffieldpubs.fsnet.co.uk/Business/pubs/rutland.htm)

at least all the SWP ear-chewers will be without a boozer.

for about 5 mins;)

Is/Was it brewery owned?!?

Is/Was it brewery owned?!?

It's owned by Punch Taverns

Aye? I've booked the upstairs room on 22nd ?

Just heard it's got nuffink to do with the council, although what's to stop them putting in an offer for some more fine 'luxury' city centre apartments.

Hmm.

The lease is on the market, and has been for about a year, as apparantly the guy that runs the place wishes to retire.

What I will say is the same as many pubs in these circumstances - USE IT OR LOSE IT!

I would list every pub in Sheffield (that dates back maybe around pre 1970) if I was in charge. I hate seeing pubs demolished(although that might not be the case here).

A perfect example of a pub not demolished and re-used is the Royal (1 Abbeydale Rd). Beaut building, and looks great now.


ash

I would list every pub in Sheffield (that dates back maybe around pre 1970) if I was in charge. I hate seeing pubs demolished(although that might not be the case here).

A perfect example of a pub not demolished and re-used is the Royal (1 Abbeydale Rd). Beaut building, and looks great now.


ash

Had the first pint with my ex in there ....... <fx: sniffs> ....... if I only I knew then ........

Had the first pint with my ex in there ....... <fx: sniffs> ....... if I only I knew then ........

:hihi: nice memories then!

I've never actually been in. But it looks great. They've flattened the building next to it, which I can't remember, but would be a great shame if they flattened it too.

:hihi: nice memories then!

I've never actually been in. But it looks great. They've flattened the building next to it, which I can't remember, but would be a great shame if they flattened it too.

It used to be a garage if you mean the one on Abbeydale Road ...... bugger knows what was down London Road past the snug entrance .......

To be fair, she's a great lass, just a shame it went wrong .......

Honest.

Very sad, but not surprising - it's been on the skids for getting on for a year now.

Sadly, indeed it has! The landlord has been been running out beers and lagers at various times, and the garden (which has previously won Sheffield in Bloom awards) has been looking sadly neglected all this year.

A mate of mine recently handed in his notice as a barman, and I understand several other staff have also recently left. I suspect that they saw the writing was on the wall for the future of the Rutland Arms.

Sadly, indeed it has! The landlord has been been running out beers and lagers at various times, and the garden (which has previously won Sheffield in Bloom awards) has been looking sadly neglected all this year.

A mate of mine recently handed in his notice as a barman, and I understand several other staff have also recently left. I suspect that they saw the writing was on the wall for the future of the Rutland Arms.

I've known Phil for ages, but not been able to get in for a pint for a while. I know he's been hacked off with Punch for ages, but this is such a special pub in town, and of course still offers accomodation.

Wasn't it run, ahem,in tandem, ahem, with the Kelham Island Tavern for a bit a few years back?

Sadly, indeed it has! The landlord has been been running out beers and lagers at various times, and the garden (which has previously won Sheffield in Bloom awards) has been looking sadly neglected all this year.

A mate of mine recently handed in his notice as a barman, and I understand several other staff have also recently left. I suspect that they saw the writing was on the wall for the future of the Rutland Arms.

I think this pub is an example of a pub that may have ran its course. I rarely, (maybe once in the last year or 2) have taken anyone in my cab to it.
There's too many alternatives for the younger lot, and a few old regulars can't maintain what must be required to finance a city centre building.

If it's made into flats (which is the trend), I'm ok with that if it means not demolishing it.

I think this pub is an example of a pub that may have ran its course. I rarely, (maybe once in the last year or 2) have taken anyone in my cab to it.
There's too many alternatives for the younger lot, and a few old regulars can't maintain what must be required to finance a city centre building.

If it's made into flats (which is the trend), I'm ok with that if it means not demolishing it.

I disagree.

Most people who used it were in town working anyway, the rest came from the Showroom, etc. The problem is that the pub owning companies won't allow a pub to be run as a pub. The Beer Orders are the reason why so many historic pubs have gone now, in the name of what was meant to be more choice (of real ale at that) for the consumer, yet they have resulted in disaster.

I simply can't see another way for the pub to go but a hotel, or flats, but it would be a criminal loss to the city centre.

I disagree.

Most people who used it were in town working anyway, the rest came from the Showroom, etc. The problem is that the pub owning companies won't allow a pub to be run as a pub. The Beer Orders are the reason why so many historic pubs have gone now, in the name of what was meant to be more choice (of real ale at that) for the consumer, yet they have resulted in disaster.

I simply can't see another way for the pub to go but a hotel, or flats, but it would be a criminal loss to the city centre.

Yeah, my post post seemed to mean that 'flats is good'. I didn't mean that, I absolutely hate beaut ole pubs to close down. What I was meaning was, if it does close, I would hate to see it flattened.

Yeah, my post post seemed to mean that 'flats is good'. I didn't mean that, I absolutely hate beaut ole pubs to close down. What I was meaning was, if it does close, I would hate to see it flattened.

Verily, verily.

I stopped going a while back cause I got sick of going in on repeated Friday nights to find only one or two beers on and a bizarre sickly sweet bottled cider???? Real shame I used to love that place, food is still incredible though; hope the chef lets people know where they're off to.

Whenever I go out with a couple of former workmates, we always head for the Rutland and have the chicken in stilton and mushroom sauce. The food's great value but the beer's on the pricey side (something like £2.40 for Deuchars, which is only a 3.8% beer).
Would be a shame to lose it, as there's few other pubs in town with a bit of character and decent beer. Seems the 'arty' types that used to frequent the Rutland now prefer pretentious poncey wine bars such as the Showroom - a sad refection on the shallowness of modern drinkers.

Would be a shame to lose it, as there's few other pubs in town with a bit of character and decent beer. Seems the 'arty' types that used to frequent the Rutland now prefer pretentious poncey wine bars such as the Showroom - a sad refection on the shallowness of modern drinkers.

How true that is Basil! I'm a regular in The Dog & Partridge and Fagans which always seem to do well, the beer is always spot on and atmosphere great! Drinkers need to wake up and start fighting to keep pubs like the Rutland open, as someone said earlier 'Use them, or lose them!!'

Anyone know who's selling the lease?

I'll have it.

Anyone know who's selling the lease?

I'll have it.

Many months ago when i made very tentative enquiries, it was an agent called Davey and Co (www.daveyco.com). Don't know if that's still the case.

Try www.punchtaverns.com

Try get get listed building status for the pub that way at least it would not be knocked down. Sheffield is famous for destroying it's heritage of buildings.
The councils' have done more damage to the city than the Luftwaffe ever did.

Try get get listed building status for the pub that way at least it would not be knocked down. Sheffield is famous for destroying it's heritage of buildings.
The councils' have done more damage to the city than the Luftwaffe ever did.


Yup I agree. I myself would love to see every pub in Sheffield listed.
For example, whenever I drive past the Meadow, it looks very lonely in the middle of an area being flattened. I get the feeling it's going to be missing soon.

Hope it stays as a pub. Until the mythical Platform 1 Wetherspoon appears, the Rutland is the nearest proper pint to the station (along with the Old Queen's Head and Red Lion of course). It feels right to wait for a train in there or meet people off trains. It belongs to that era.

If it's worth more to flog off to developers it'll be a case of 'use it AND lose it' as the number of customers won't make any odds.

Would Hallam Union be interested - assuming they could afford it? It could be a moneyspinner if made slightly more student/young person-friendly and still remain as a proper pub. It's their neck of the woods.

the beer's on the pricey side (something like £2.40 for Deuchars, which is only a 3.8% beer).

Deuchars seems to be over 2 quid everywhere you go though - which always seems steep. It's nice but is it THAT nice?

Deuchars seems to be over 2 quid everywhere you go though - which always seems steep. It's nice but is it THAT nice?

No. It's not.

Its a grade 2 listed building so hopefully it should be o.k. but knowing this Council nothing is sacred.

Its a grade 2 listed building so hopefully it should be o.k. but knowing this Council nothing is sacred.

Where do you get this information?

I looked on the councils list of listed buildings and couldn't find it -

http://www.sheffield.gov.uk/EasySite/lib/serveDocument.asp?doc=73668&pgid=91711

I have to agree with some other posters that the Rutland has been in decline for a while now. The last time I went in a few months ago, I thought the landlord, perhaps for genuine reasons doesn't seem bothered anymore, the beer was too warm, and there was a miserable Scottish barman that was obviously keen to get rid of everyone ASAP after 11pm. I really hope that someone can take it on and get it back to how it used to be.

Pevsner Architectural Guide to Sheffield (2004) says -

"Brown Street now turns NW with the Rutland Arms 0f 1936. Probably the best surviving example of duncan Gilmour's house style of applied faience decoration with bold lettering."

This is very very sad. A number of years ago The Rutland was my 'local' and I went in there almost daily with my co-workers. I spent many blissful summer hours in the garden with the amazing wall full of roses. So many memories. :(

I went in again a few months ago and was distressed at how run down and dirty it was. I had a similar shock when I went in the Brown Bear, incidentally. We're losing the last pubs of character in the city centre.

I'm not 'in' the Cultural Industries Quarter now. Does anyone know what the feeling is along that street? Do the media and creatives go somewhere else now? Aren't there any enterprising souls in that community who could club together and run it collectively? I have neither dosh nor business brawn, but I feel really strong sentiments about this!

What a shame its closing - such a lovely old pub with character - will they be auctioning off the curiosities in the main lounge ?

I suspect Phil will take all that old tat to her grave... :)

Ooogh look its even got its own myspace

http://myspace.com/rutlandarms

Ooogh look its even got its own myspace

http://myspace.com/rutlandarms

Wrong pub .......

Why do people protest for somewhere to stay open ?

If all those who are now suddenly worried about it used it in the first place there'd be no issue

Hello to everyone who has been concerned about the Rutland and its imminent closure. We the staff, were informed by Phil, (the Landlord,) that it would be closed by the 22nd of December but after he had consulted with his legal advisors we have been told we can take bookings for rooms and the upstairs room until the second week of January. So sorry for any panic caused!

Phil has been trying to sell the pub for over two years now and it has fallen into disrepair which we hate as much as everyone else. Trying to reason with Phil to try and do work on the pub and garden has fallen on deaf ears. We work hard but find it so difficult when we have no beer, etc. Luckily for the person who posted about the rude Scottish man - he has left!

We wish we could keep the Rutland open but it looks like it will return to the ownership of the brewery - Punch Taverns, aka. the robbing b**tards! The problem is that Phil has to pay a ridiculous amount of rent which is based on business years ago when there were more businesses in the area. Therefore we cannot afford to pay it.

However when/if the business does go under the lease for the business will be able to be renegotiated so someone may be able to take it on feasibly! The rumours about it becoming a luxury block of flats have come from the staff musing miserably about the worst case situations as we have watched everything else about us become luxury flats including the old nightclub BED which was listed but the planners got around it by just keeping the facia.

Unfortunately for the person who wants all the 'tat' the staff can't even get Phil to sell them it so good luck to you!

Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard setting up the websites trying to save the Rutland but ultimately it needs someone to offer Phil enough money to buy it from him now. The pub has a late license, is one of the only pubs in the area with a beer garden, seven letting rooms, a flat, a room for meetings and a live music license. The area is being renovated and soon there will be a university campus next door which, if marketed in the correct way, will provide a constant stream of business!

I understand that many people love the Rutland like we do - there is nowhere in the world like it to us. I love the how busy it is on a Friday night and yet the tranquillity of a Sunday afternoon. The beer may be overpriced now, (referring to the Deuchars comment,) but a renegotiation of the lease could change all that and we could get in other beers and suppliers!

Obviously we don't know all the details, we're just the staff, but I thought I'd try and explain anything we know to help clear up some of the questions.

Pontious,

I have sent you a PM mate.

Having never been in the place but know and spoken to quite a few that have, it would be a shame to see it go.

With regards it being criminal for the council to redevelop the site, then that will be like glove in hand then and sod what anybody thinks, its future will already be destined.

Not quite sure why people get voted in by the public into public office to then not ask them what they want but just do what the elected group want to do. ? :huh:

Unfortunately Phil doesn't seem to give a damn anymore, and to quote others is 'a silly old fool'. He has run the place down and has sadly just come across a situation more serious than closing the Rutland.

Punch Taverns are as much to blame because all they are bothered about is robbing their tenants. They would have also made it difficult for the place to continue its range of (previously excellent) cask ales, which have slowly become poorer in quality and more expensive. Fortunately Sheffield CAMRA have continued to support the place, and rightly so.

At the end of the day, coming downstairs and insulting all your customers isn't the way to run a pub.

Any updates? Was in the week before Christmas and, although it was busy, it was clear they were running it down. Even the chicken in stilton and mushroom sauce has disappeared off the menu!

FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERSETED HERE'S THE INFO NEEDED

If someone is willing to buy then this is the information that punch have listed. It seems to me by the info they provide that the lease is currently still on the terms that the current owner is adhered to. The reason i say this is because it is being sold as a business transfer and not a lease. He would have to sell it back to the brewery for it to become a leaseable property.

Rutland Arms
86 Brown Street
Sheffield
S 1 2BS



You will require a Personal Licence in order to take on this business opportunity (England & Wales Only).
Please contact our Recruitment Team for more details.

Agreement Offered - Available via business transfer, for further details contact the leaseholder on 0114 2729003

Directions / Pub Profile - Located in the centre of sheffield. This landmark site sits in a huge redevelopment area of sheffield benefiting from new housing, retail units and cultral venues. The pub has a high reputation for cask ales and also an established daytime food trade. Awp & Swp machines recently added generating a new income source. The Rutland is situated in a prominant position on Brown Street in the city centre close to The Leadmill nightclub and within 10 mins walking distance of the railway station.

Trade Areas - The Rutland is a quality established site right in the centre of extensive city centre redevelopment and is close to the hustle and bustle of Sheffield Hallam University and the bust train station. The main trading area comprises one large traing area with a central bar severy and plenty of comfortable fixed seating. Upstairs is a decent sized function room that could be developed as either additional letting rooms or retained as a function room. On the top floor are 7 fully equiped letting rooms which again could be redeveloped and taken more upmarket to reflect the changes happening in this exciting area of Sheffield. There is an extensive beer garden to the rear of the property which is an excellent selling point and one of the few gardens in central Sheffield. This area for many years has been known as an oasis in Sheffield and could provide an excellent solution to the forthcoming smoking ban.

Private Accommodation - One Double bedroom, lounge, kitchen & bathroom.

Finance Required

Ingoing Figures/Rent
£ 1 Approximate Fixtures & Fittings
£ 2,500 Approximate Stock & Glassware
£ 2,500 Working Capital
£ 6,000 Deposit
£ 995 MLR Training Fee (Mandatory)
£ 75,000 Transfer Premium
£ 2,500 Approximate legal fees/valuation/court
£ 89,501 Total Ingoings
£ 48,352 Annual Rent Guide
£ 28,000 Rateable Value
Other fees required for Lease - Survey & Stamp Duty





Trade History
Total beer deliveries
Last 12 months TBC
Previous 12 months 272 brls
Approximate Machine Income
Last 12 months TBC

You really have to be a total mug to lease a pub.

You really have to be a total mug to lease a pub.


Or a tankard?

some of my happiest memories of summers in sheffield city centre are sitting in the beer garden of the rutland arms. i've written a blog entry about the closure on my white rose of yorkshire blog, linked to below in my sig, and rutlandstaff, i've quoted your informative post in full, hope that's ok. LOWEnBEHOLD i've also quoted the information you've given, many thanks. i've also linked through to the sheffield forum homepage as this forum is one of the best run forums i've ever been on.

Well - has it now closed its doors for the last time?

Yes. The pub is now closed. Thank you for everyone who supported us over the past 14 years and let's hope it opens up again soon!

Tragic. :( :mad:

Lets hope someone gives it a new lease of life and reopens its doors soon.

Aw, I was in there yesterday afternoon and they were taking down all the bits and bobs of flotsam and jetsam that always made it so lovely and unique.

very, very sad :(

An absolute tragedy. Probably the last 'local' in the City centre.

At least there's still the Red Lion on Charles Street.....suspect they'll pick up some trade from the loss of the Rutland.

At least there's still the Red Lion on Charles Street.....suspect they'll pick up some trade from the loss of the Rutland.

True, but it just hasn't got the same sort of feel for me ...... mind you, as a 'proper' Wards fan, no former Wards house seems the same at all ........

Its gone! That's just so sad.

I'm really sad to hear this.

One of your regular monthly 'munchers' :(

Did anything special happen on the last night, or did it just fizzle out? A bunch of us went there for last orders on my birthday because someone said it was closing that night, but obviously it didn't. By last orders we were the only ones in there, being glared at by Phil. Everywhere else in town was packed with merriment, it being the last Friday before Christmas, but in the Rutland it was drab and grim and empty except for us lot. I hope the very end was not the same. :(

One single person who actually wants to buy the pub and run it, and the problem is solved.

The pub's not for sale, only the lease. The pubco who own it want someone to do all the hard work while they cream off every penny of profit, as all pubcos do. if it was up for sale outright, you can bet someone would take it on.

Would Hallam Union be interested - assuming they could afford it? It could be a moneyspinner if made slightly more student/young person-friendly and still remain as a proper pub. It's their neck of the woods.

Nope. We have the HUBS building (The Kettles). If only it had stayed a bit longer - the new building going up next door is one of ours, and lecturers love their ale.

Surely I can't have been the only person who heard Adele and Scotty from The Plug (http://www.the-plug.com/) on Toby Foster's show this morning?

Surely I can't have been the only person who heard Adele and Scotty from The Plug (http://www.the-plug.com/) on Toby Foster's show this morning?

Go on.... :confused:

There's a 'listen again (http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2006/02/22/radio_sheffield_radio_player_list.shtml)' facility you could use ;)

They're going to take it on, they said - Scotty's Mum is an ace gardener, and the rooms upstairs will be converted to a 'boutique hotel'. As I understood it, the pub will be much the same and a very useful place to meet up before crossing the road for a gig :) :)

Oooh, sounds interesting. :)

Thanks maggi. Hope they keep some of the character (and ale) whilst bringing some new life back to the place.

This is excellent news - especially if the garden is going to be properly looked after! I can't imagine the interior without all Phil's bric-a-brac. Is it 100% definite, or is it only a plan for now?

I've heard the Rutland is to re-open on Friday.

Friday as in tomorrow?

Yup tomorrow. Some time in the early evening from what I heard from the people who have taken it on. I popped in there on Wednesday (with my chairman hat on) to see what was going on and they told me they were planning on opening on Friday. Also said they are going to to beers from
Abbeydale, Bradfield and Kelham breweries.

Should be interesting I've had some good times on both sides of that bar.

SJQ.

What's the latest on the Rutland? I know it's open again, but are they doing food yet? Ands what about the real ales and the recent appeal for 'nick nacks'?

I'm should be nipping in there later so I'll let you know

Hi. Just a note from the previous staff - we heard a rumour from our regulars that they've been told that all the old staff at the Rutters didn't want to continue working there. So the story goes 'they were asked to stay but didn't want to'. As all of you know this IS NOT TRUE. We loved the Rutland. Whether this is rumour or the truth we want all our regulars to know that we didn't want to leave and were not asked back but hope they're enjoying the new ownership and the improvements which they've made.

Hi. Just a note from the previous staff - we heard a rumour from our regulars that they've been told that all the old staff at the Rutters didn't want to continue working there. So the story goes 'they were asked to stay but didn't want to'. As all of you know this IS NOT TRUE. We loved the Rutland. Whether this is rumour or the truth we want all our regulars to know that we didn't want to leave and were not asked back but hope they're enjoying the new ownership and the improvements which they've made.


I haven't had a chance to go back since it reopened, but if what you say is true, then it's a damned shame. Bad vibes. :rant:

I know it's re-opened, but are they doing food there yet?

I went in on Saturday before the game and I have to say the service was not brilliant and that was at about 2:30 when the place was nearly empty.

I know it's re-opened, but are they doing food there yet?

Not yet - they're in the midst of interviewing for chefs, so should be doing food again within the next few weeks.

Have they actually changed it inside yet? When I went a few weeks ago nothing much had happened other than most of Phil's old tat being removed.

Have they actually changed it inside yet? When I went a few weeks ago nothing much had happened other than most of Phil's old tat being removed.

Not a great deal of change so far. Phil's old tat went with Phil so the place was very bare for the first few days. Since then, a new carpet has been put in, and a few framed photos of bands that have played at Plug have been put up. So there's still a need for a bit of redecoration and upholstery. The beer garden was tidied up a few days ago so is ready for al fresco drinking again, but is a bit bare too, waiting for plants and whatnot to be put in.

Well if the weather keeps up I might go and investigate again this weekend. :)

How true that is Basil! I'm a regular in The Dog & Partridge and Fagans which always seem to do well, the beer is always spot on and atmosphere great! Drinkers need to wake up and start fighting to keep pubs like the Rutland open, as someone said earlier 'Use them, or lose them!!'

Fagans and the Dog & Partridge...best pubs for Guinness in town.

I suspect that Joe keeps an eye on “his” pub.

I was in there a few weeks back. Still same kind of vibe. Glad it's not closed.

Is it me or have they put new wallpaper up identical to the old wallpaper (only cleaner)

Is it me or have they put new wallpaper up identical to the old wallpaper (only cleaner)

I wondered that too, but i asked, and they haven't. They did give the old stuff a bit of a clean. And thinking about it, a lot of the old wallpaper would have been covered by Phil's pictures anyway so wouldn't have got too worn or torn.

Went into the Rutland on Sunday and it was fine. Had a decent pint of Hobgoblin and the place seemed to have been smartened up a bit. Was very quiet but then it was Sunday afternoon. Had a chat with Neil who was working behind the bar who I knew from when he worked in another pub. :thumbsup:

We sat outside for a short time, the beer garden has had a lot cleared out and looks promising.

I was quite drunk at the time.

Will be going back. :)

If we're going to keep resurrecting this thread can't the title be changed? I haven't been in yet since the reopening and would rather not see a title that suggests it may be closing again.

Any news on whether they've started doing food again ? Guys here at work want to try it out one lunch...

Must go and see how it is. I'm next door to the Red Lion but the Rutty is a nice alternative, so glad it's back on its feet.:)

Noticed the Rutty is shut again. I know the Plug was selling the lease, which was a shame, as Tim, the manager, ran a great pub and kept good beer. Anyone got any more info on what's happening?

This is excellent news - especially if the garden is going to be properly looked after! I can't imagine the interior without all Phil's bric-a-brac. Is it 100% definite, or is it only a plan for now?

Did you see all the 'bric -a -brac' when John and Jean Price were the licencees? Absolutely fab, but they took it all with them when they left. The Rutland never looked or felt better than when they had it - IMO. They were really nice folk too. I first went in when it was two rooms with a central bar. Then came the single room. I only went in once after John and Jean left.

Can the thread title now be changed to "Rutland Arms Closing? (Nope, it's reopened!) (oh no, hang on it's closed again)" please?

Someone told me it is opening again (again, again) soon? Is this right? Will it work or is recent history telling us something and we should all move on. Pubs obviously need customers not nostalgia

There are notices stuck up on the pub at the mo but i was on the bus and could'nt read them properly but i got the impression it is re opening.

I walked past last night and they've taken the boards on the windows down and an A4 sheet of paper is pined to the door to say its reopeing soon. Unfortunately while its been shut some idiot chav has graffitied the exterior wall with his "tags" and swear words so they'll have to clean that up first!

I was at the Rutland the night before the smoking ban came into effect the day after the day before.
Haven't been since I must confess. Such inconvenience having to drive there, having one drink then driving back to the suburbs. We did used to, on the occasion, stop by there on our way clubbing back in the day.

I am, however, a great fan of architecture and I would be extremely saddened to see such a building with such architectural merit to disappear. I am glad it is re-opening as a functioning building works better than an empty shell. If they do sell decent cider I might pop in for a few on my way to dancing pastures.

Noticed the Rutty is shut again. I know the Plug was selling the lease, which was a shame, as Tim, the manager, ran a great pub and kept good beer. Anyone got any more info on what's happening?

Hi,

Just so you know, Plug never had the lease to sell it. The whole time Plug had it, we were in negotiations regarding the lease but Punch the owners put some very onerous terms in it which we wouldnt agree to. In the end, we handed the keys back, as we couldnt sign up to it.

Since then, Punch put management into the pub, and then recently they had the freehold up for sale. Im assuming the new owners have bought the freehold and now the Rutland has an opportunity to be able to trade without paying stupid monies to Punch.

Good luck to the new owners....its a great venue. :)

Re-opening on Monday 5th October. Good real ales and some local cider too. Looking forwards to seeing plenty of happy customers old and new!

Opening tomorrow - come down and see. Much thanks to everyone who has helped get us to this point. Too many to name but generous all of you withyour time and effort. Special mention to Dave, Andy, Brian, Big Joe, Liz, tireless and veery talented Ray, a big thankyou to Pat and Eddy and of course Laura who has done tons and tons of the less glamorous jobs and fit around her proper full time job. I am so unbelievably excited and hope to see you in there!

Re-opening on Monday 5th October. Good real ales and some local cider too. Looking forwards to seeing plenty of happy customers old and new!
Great to hear about the real ales; many of us at Access Space directly opposite ( www.lowtech.org.uk ) will be in there as before; we dearly missed it being open!:love:

Yes, I'm told the Rutland Arms opens today as a free house with a great selection of real ales both local and national and a range of traditional ciders. On the lager front the pub will feature draught Budvar. There has also been a lot of cleaning and decorating done.

Hopefully the Rutland will soon be back to the glory days, I'm looking forward to going and trying it out...

would miss that soo much thatd be such a shame!

Went in tonight. Real Ales: Sheffield Blanco Blonde, Sheffield Crucible Best Bitter, Crown Stannington Stout, Jennings Cumberland Ale and Marstons Pedigree. Managed to bag the comfy sofa at the end of the bar. Look out for the black and white photographs of Sheffield pubs on the shelves and art on the walls.

At the moment its just a drinking pub, but a food service will apparantly start in a couple of weeks once the new kitchen is fitted.

Did they manage to find out what the huge crack in the building relates to? From the third floor to second? Punch tried getting rid on a repair lease which what stopped me from looking further in to it........

I shall certainly give this pub a try, real cider hmmm:)

Went in tonight. Real Ales: Sheffield Blanco Blonde, Sheffield Crucible Best Bitter, Crown Stannington Stout, Jennings Cumberland Ale and Marstons Pedigree. Managed to bag the comfy sofa at the end of the bar. Look out for the black and white photographs of Sheffield pubs on the shelves and art on the walls.

At the moment its just a drinking pub, but a food service will apparantly start in a couple of weeks once the new kitchen is fitted.

Good news!

im delighted, will be there as soon as i can!

Going well, cheers to everyone who has been in and the positive comments. Food due Oct 14th from 12-8. Enjoying the real ales and a few new ones arrived today.

Went in last night, great range of real ales, I'm really glad to see the return of this Sheffield institution.

Three cheers for the Rutland - successfully open and doing all the right things and you couldnt wish for nicer bar staff and manager. Good Luck to all who sail on her including us - thank god we've got somewhere decent to go on Fridays !!!!

Oh yea and dont forget you'll see some of Sheffield newest and greatest beers on draught - Made in Sheffield - a label to be proud of !!
Check Sheffield's Blanco Blonde - nearest thing you'll get to a great steel makers quenching pint in the old school style of Stones and much lamented Wards!! Cheers !

Going well, cheers to everyone who has been in and the positive comments. Food due Oct 14th from 12-8. Enjoying the real ales and a few new ones arrived today.

If only you could reinstate the old menu from around 2005-6. That chicken in stilton and mushroom sauce was divine!

Is the great beer garden being reinstated? It was being used as a car park last time I walked past.PS I also loove the murals outside, please keep 'em!

If only you could reinstate the old menu from around 2005-6. That chicken in stilton and mushroom sauce was divine!

Incidentally I discovered Ian the rude Scotsman who worked in the Rutland around that era propping up the bar in the Scholar t'other week...

Is the great beer garden being reinstated? It was being used as a car park last time I walked past.PS I also loove the murals outside, please keep 'em!

Beer garden will be reinstated. Taken over 20 sacks or rubbish, trimmings etc out so far. Won't be getting new tables till next summer when we replant and spend some more time on it. For now there are still 3 or 4 tables which are well used even in this weather.

With respect to cars mine is there at the moment as I am still doing loads of running around while setting up pub and several workmen are using it intermittently as we do bits up. No intention of taking customer space with my car or other peoples going forward though. Maybe a few more weeks though.

In respect to the other thread and MJ being in the pub - I have not seen him. If he is indeed alive and living in Sheffield he could do a lot worse than come here for a pint. Lots of his tracks on the juke box keep getting played though eeerily!

Good luck in the new venture, it's nice to see a real ale pub re-opening, I'll be down as soon as I can :)

I'll be down with some friends on Friday... hope there is some tasty ale on :)

anyone tried the food yet?

Beer garden will be reinstated. Taken over 20 sacks or rubbish, trimmings etc out so far. Won't be getting new tables till next summer when we replant and spend some more time on it. For now there are still 3 or 4 tables which are well used even in this weather.

With respect to cars mine is there at the moment as I am still doing loads of running around while setting up pub and several workmen are using it intermittently as we do bits up. No intention of taking customer space with my car or other peoples going forward though. Maybe a few more weeks though.

In respect to the other thread and MJ being in the pub - I have not seen him. If he is indeed alive and living in Sheffield he could do a lot worse than come here for a pint. Lots of his tracks on the juke box keep getting played though eeerily!

Well me and my mrs will be in on Friday all being well. Good luck anyway and thank you for bringing one of my favourite pubs back to life. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Looks like Friday is going to be pretty full then !! Looking forward to seeing all the folks - shall we all wear red carnations !!

By the way I liked Ian the rude scotsman a pubs not a real pub without characters!!

anyone tried the food yet?

Yes, food is very nice, batter on the fish is lovely and the burger is the best I have tried in a long time!

Have just left after a first rate business lunch with ( sadly) soft drinks - great food - bill for me and the client £13! Nice One!

Well me and my mrs will be in on Friday all being well. Good luck anyway and thank you for bringing one of my favourite pubs back to life. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

YAY! My favourite pub in Sheffield (alongside The Washington, The Red House and The Fat Cat) is back open again with a GREAT publican, Andy and a member of staff Joe both of whom Yog and I met yesterday afternoon when we went in early doors straight after work. By 5.30pm the place was absolutely buzzing with lots of arty types like us, and within half an hour of sitting down I'd run into some of my favourite people in Sheff. I could have stayed all night it was such a good vibe but sadly Yog was cycling home and had to catch the light and I had stuff to do in the evening at home. Anyway it is brilliant, I am totally convinced that Andy is the right man to be running The Rutland. Still miss Tim the ex landlord and hope maybe he'll work there again!

It is FAB, and will hopefully become a great meeting place for the international delegates during the up and coming Sheffield International Documentary Film Festival (http://sheffdocfest.com/) because The Showroom gets rammed for those five days and folk need a good pub within walking distance of The Workstation.

I used to go ever Saturday in the late 90's. Barnsley bitter at around £1.30 a pint and loved it, plus a lock in after time!

Are they doing Barnsley in there still? I hope the place is not too populated by Arty types? A mix of people is allways welcome, but a cliquey place can be unbearable!

Will give it a try when I pass from the station on a weekend. I hope they have Barnsley on!:)

I used to go ever Saturday in the late 90's. Barnsley bitter at around £1.30 a pint and loved it, plus a lock in after time!

Are they doing Barnsley in there still? I hope the place is not too populated by Arty types? A mix of people is allways welcome, but a cliquey place can be unbearable!

Will give it a try when I pass from the station on a weekend. I hope they have Barnsley on!:)

I would like a pub with arty types in it - do they meet regularly?

I used to go ever Saturday in the late 90's. Barnsley bitter at around £1.30 a pint and loved it, plus a lock in after time!

Are they doing Barnsley in there still? I hope the place is not too populated by Arty types? A mix of people is allways welcome, but a cliquey place can be unbearable!

Will give it a try when I pass from the station on a weekend. I hope they have Barnsley on!:)

I would like a pub with arty types in it - do they meet regularly?

Don't care who's in... I hate it when places become cliquey and that can go on to all sorts of groups. As I quote "a mix of people is allways welcome".

I hope the place is not too populated by Arty types? A mix of people is allways welcome, but a cliquey place can be unbearable!

Will give it a try when I pass from the station on a weekend. I hope they have Barnsley on!:)

Don't know about the Barnsley Bitter, sorry! Obviously being smack in the middle of the cultural quarter and near the new SHU art college buildings, there are bound to be arty/music types in there, but the clientele is very mixed. The atmosphere is definitely not cliquey, it's the sort of place where you could walk in and folk aren't going to look you up and down and judge you. Arty types tend to be very broadminded like that in my experience. Although debating that would be a separate thread in itself ;)

Should be a good mix in there once the pub is established again - arty types and academics from the local businesses and university, students wanting a more chilled out venue, travellers meeting before or after a train or coach journey and more.

anyone tried the food yet?

Yes, food is very nice, batter on the fish is lovely and the burger is the best I have tried in a long time!

Have just left after a first rate business lunch with ( sadly) soft drinks - great food - bill for me and the client £13! Nice One!

Sorry - perhaps should have put menu on here for people to see when we started last week. It is very home-made centric, ie we bake our bread, make our batter, tartare sauce, thick cut chips, pies etc.

Menu
Food Served Monday – Saturday 12-8

Sides

Home-cooked Chips £1.95
Onion Rings £1.95
Side Salad £2.50
Bread to share £3.50
(cheese & tomato or rosemary & garlic)

Sandwiches
All served with a handful of Paul’s homemade chips and posh dressed salad leaves

B.L.T. - Crispy Poitrine Fume (that’s bacon to us normal folk) with
tomato, lettuce and mayonnaise. Classic. £4.75

F.L.T. - Coley goujons (homemade fish fingers to the uninitiated)
with tartar sauce and lettuce. £4.50

Steak - medium rare rump steak with caramelised onions.
(where’s the L & T? - S.L.T. would have fit nicely) £4.75

Fried Halloumi - with moon-blush tomatoes. For us Veggies £4.50

Chip Butty - Homemade chips, bread. Done!
(unless you want cheese … ask nicely and we’ll put some on!) £3.00
See our “Daily Specials” board for, well, daily specials

Mains

The Rutland Burger - homemade burger, cooked medium-rare,
with mature cheddar cheese, moon blush tomatoes, gherkins and
thick cut chips. £5.75
Also available as a veggie burger! Same trimmings

Fish & Chips - Sheffield Brewery beer battered coley, with thick cut
chips, mushy peas and tartar sauce. Proper food in a proper pub! £6.00

Sausage & Mash - Sage & Onion sausages with creamy mash and
red wine gravy, topped with caramelised red onions. £5.00

Steak Pie - Homemade steak pie with thick cut chips and buttered
garden peas. £7.50

Vegetarian Shepherds Pie - A classic recipe, totally changed to be vegetarian. Served with dressed salad leaves. £6.50


see dessert board for selection of puddings

Have just finished work and had bumptious burgers ! No argument - and ( sorry if you make them too but..) the best chips in Sheff. Gerrin'!

Went into the Rutland Arms last week to have a nose at the place. Excellent job, very very homely. Cant believe it was ever shut, looks and feels so comfy. Nice place to relax at the end of a working day, proper old fashioned pub with a brilliant juke box, loads of music. Plenty of good ales to choose from and top service from Jo and Andy at the bar! Food was nicer than I expected, home cooked chips - agree, the best in Sheff - along with HOME MADE BREAD no less!! Glad that someone heard the cry from an earlier post "There must be some publicans in the city who could see the potential of the place and keep it's 'traditional' character"? I for one am glad someone did!!.........Call in, see if you agree?

Just to update you - the real cider has arrived for the "cider festival" starting tomorrow till the first of November. Some sampling last night confirms it will be great (while stocks last).

Also on the chip front we now have Henderson's Relish for all those who asked - my apologies for not starting with this available.

I may well sample the Perry (not pear cider thankyou!)

Went in for a meal and a few drinks with a couple of friends last night and was very impressed. Although as others have reported, the more ornate decor and nick-nicks have long gone, it feels very welcoming and comfortable, and if you didn't know the Rutland's recent history you'd think it had been unchanged for years. A good beer selection as well; I stuck to the Sheffield Brewery Blanco Blonde, but there were I think 4 other ales on, and the prices were reasonable at around £2.50 a pint.

Food good and filling (if a little bit "safe" for now - it would be nice to see more than 4 meal options on the menu); I suspect I may be going back more regularly.

However, as this long-running thread has shown, there have been several false dawns in the Rutland's recent history; if we want proper pubs like this in the city centre we really need to be using them instead of the faceless genreric bland bars that dominate our streets (such as the nearby showroom bar and that student place in the old Popular Music centre, both of which looked busy as I passed on the way home).

Went in the other night, seemed quite busy. Nice to see they have got shut of all the junk on the shelves but everything else is the same.

Had a pint of Abyss - not sure who makes it (a local I think ?) but it was very drinkable. Seemed to be 5 or 6 cask ales on.

Oh and while we were there the barman gave us some cards inviting us to their grand reopening party, which is tomorrow night (Wednesday 28th) from 7pm - I'm presuming it's open to anyone. Apparently it features 7 real ales and a whopping great 10 real ciders!

Their email address is Rutlandarms@hotmail.co.uk if you want to know more.

Went in the other night, seemed quite busy. Nice to see they have got shut of all the junk on the shelves but everything else is the same.

Had a pint of Abyss - not sure who makes it (a local I think ?) but it was very drinkable. Seemed to be 5 or 6 cask ales on.

Abyss is indeed a local ale, brewed by The Brew Company.

Here you go. (http://www.thebrewcompany.co.uk/index.php)

Abyss is indeed a local ale, brewed by The Brew Company.

Here you go. (http://www.thebrewcompany.co.uk/index.php)

Ah, thanks. Not the most memorable name for a brewery, or the most legible on a pump clip.

Ah, thanks. Not the most memorable name for a brewery, or the most legible on a pump clip.

Not the most imaginitive, I agree, but it does what it says on the clip, I suppose. I really hope this incarnation of the Rutland succeeds.

If only you could reinstate the old menu from around 2005-6. That chicken in stilton and mushroom sauce was divine!

Indeed it was! You inspired me there, Basil, and I made some chicken in a mushroom, creme fraiche and gorgonzola sauce shortly after reading your post :)
Food was nicer than I expected, home cooked chips - agree, the best in Sheff - along with HOME MADE BREAD no less!!


There is nothing like home made bread; I make all ours, I get a lot of mental planning done whilst kneading dough. Yog said to me the other day "If one day you're a rich, successful publishing magnate, will you still make me home baked bread?"

Maybe he's only marrying me for my cooking.:suspect: :hihi:

Oh and while we were there the barman gave us some cards inviting us to their grand reopening party, which is tomorrow night (Wednesday 28th) from 7pm - I'm presuming it's open to anyone. Apparently it features 7 real ales and a whopping great 10 real ciders!

Their email address is Rutlandarms@hotmail.co.uk if you want to know more.


I happened to be in during the latter half of the evening as I'm attending a theatre course every Wednesday atm, and it was a brilliant night! The staff were handing out pork sandwiches with crackling which was divine, and spoons of mashed potato with a sausage and gravy on. Absolutely brilliant. And once again, some of my favourite people in Sheffield were in there.

The Rutland being open again, and by a team who know what they're doing (all the staff have superb social skills) has improved the quality of our lives. It's like having The Crown and Two Chairmen (my fave pub in Soho) in Sheffield!

I happened to be in during the latter half of the evening as I'm attending a theatre course every Wednesday atm, and it was a brilliant night! The staff were handing out pork sandwiches with crackling which was divine.

Thanks, it was a great night and we all enjoyed working it as well. I believe the pork sandwiches are one of the chef's planned additions for the December menu.

Also thanks too everyone who came and tried the real cider - we will be keeping one a week on. This week Naish Farmhouse Dry (6%) from Somerset.

great thread this - i work in the hallam building next door to the pub, and as a new resident of Sheffield, i know virtually nobody, and nothing of the area.

i love reading the history of this pub, and will be along shortly to check it out, as i love my real ales, and like others, make all my own bread, so the rutland sounds like Valhalla. so if you see a bespectacled stubble covered arty type looking lonely at the bar, with a soft southern accent, that'll be me!

...Just a quickie, folks!

the Launch Meeting of the GALA Sheffield Gay Arts festival is on TONIGHT, from 7pm in the upstairs room at the Rutland; any artists among you, gay, lesbian or even straight, who want to get involved in this arts festival in May 2010, do come along!!!

See: http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=520804&highlight=GALA+Arts+Festival

Crickey! Not been around this forum for yonks and it's really good to see a thread I started THREE years ago is still going and had a brilliant outcome!! Will be down the Rutland very soon to try the food and ale.....cant wait!!:clap::banana:

Excellent little pub, went in there a couple of weeks ago and it's very nice, good beers and a nice atmosphere.

great thread this - i work in the hallam building next door to the pub, and as a new resident of Sheffield, i know virtually nobody, and nothing of the area.

i love reading the history of this pub, and will be along shortly to check it out, as i love my real ales, and like others, make all my own bread, so the rutland sounds like Valhalla. so if you see a bespectacled stubble covered arty type looking lonely at the bar, with a soft southern accent, that'll be me!

Moke, I work at SHU as well. I envy you having the Rutty next door. I'm right down in the Oneleven building now! Tsk!

Just a quickie to let you know the Thursday Quiz (Thursday from 9pm) is back this week. Sorry about last week - DocFest prevented it but back to normal this week. Hope to see you all down here, trying to win some beer.

Just a quickie to let you know the Thursday Quiz (Thursday from 9pm) is back this week. Sorry about last week - DocFest prevented it but back to normal this week. Hope to see you all down here, trying to win some beer.

Anyone been to the quiz? Few of us from work thought we should go and check it out (well I am going for the ale really - have heard good things). Also what time do you need to get there to get a table?

Anyone been to the quiz? Few of us from work thought we should go and check it out (well I am going for the ale really - have heard good things). Also what time do you need to get there to get a table?

Reallly - no-one been? Is that good or bad? At least I should have a better chance of winning then.

It our X-mas party tonight from seven. Mulled wine and mince pies, cheesy Chrimbo music and we will turn the xmas lights on (don't get too excited, it reall is just a few round the tree and bar).

We are also doing a pub secret santa - so if you want to bring a small pressie to put under the tree please do, then take a different one home with you.

Hope to see some of you down there later

Andy

Just in case I come back from two days visiting family over Christmas to a new flurry of rumours regarding our status I thought I would post our Xmas/New Year opening times. Thanks to everyone who has been in since we re-opened in October and all the positive comments. Me, Paul, Joe, Eric and the rest really appreciate your comments and custom. If I don't see you in here have a great Christmas and New Year.

Opening Times:

Christmas Eve - 11:30am till 11pm (food 12 - 8 )

25th/26th SHUT (sorry)
27th 7pm - 11pm (no food)
28th/29th/30th 1130am - 11pm (food 12 - 8 )

New Years Eve 12-3/6-1am (food 12-3 - maybe some chip butties at midnight)

1st January 2010 (Happy New Year) 5 - 12 (no food)
2nd/3rd 12-11 (food 12 - 8 )
4th onward - normal opening hours resume

Andy

Every Monday from the 11th of January there will be an open mic acoustic night at the Rutland arms. Any style or genre is welcome, just turn up with your instrument and play, sing or whatever your into.
Also Wednesday night is now curry night and don't forget the quiz on Thursdays!
See you there!

The Rutland Arms - in Conjunction with Walkley Feral Writers - is compliling stories about the Rutland Arms.
With a long, sometimes chequered, history and a wealth of stories strtching back throughout that time we are collecting peoples interestiing memories and stories.

As part of this years Off The Shelf Literary Festival we hope to put a book together wth some of the most interesting stories and present them on October 22nd at... The Rutland Arms.

If you have any stories, memories etc or know someone who does please drop them in the box at the pub or email rutlandarms.stories@googlemail.com

Deadline for entries is 21st September.