The York, Broomhill, what do you think?

[Paulmat]

Some nice ideas there.

 

Obvious ones are the refurbishment of the interior, going back to some of the original features and fittings (but not too far back that it seems old fashioned).

 

Would be nice if it had a bit of a modern feel to it (I don't mean like the bars down West Street, I just mean so it doesn't end up like say the Ranmoor Inn - while a great pub in its own I don't think that's the kind of look that would work here).

 

I would say no to traditional pub tables and stools, but yes to comfy sofa areas - but make sure they're not so spaced apart you can't talk to people. I hate that in pubs and bars!

 

On to other bits, a large range of continental beers & lagers mixed with some local real ales would be a good starting point. Cocktails would be good too. If you want inspiration, have a look at the Old House on Division Street. The best selection of drinks in the city IMO.

 

I've selected pool tables and the Space Invaders tables as I think these would help attract the younger crowd while not bothering locals so much. However the pool table at the moment doesn't fit too great so i'm not sure how you could work round that one.

 

The music side of things, it would be great to be able to let bands and DJ's play various types of music (something the Harley does really well), but would be good to have a quieter area too.

 

And finally, the York has quite a nice large smoking area. Doesn't need much doing to it. Just smartening up a little and some better heating.

[goldenfleece]

Some nice ideas there.

 

Obvious ones are the refurbishment of the interior, going back to some of the original features and fittings

 

Would be nice if it had a bit of a modern feel to it

I would say no to traditional pub tables and stools, but yes to comfy sofa areas -

On to other bits, a large range of continental beers & lagers mixed with some local real ales would be a good starting point.

I've selected pool tables and the Space Invaders tables as I think these would help attract the younger crowd while not bothering locals so much. However the pool table at the moment doesn't fit too great so i'm not sure how you could work round that one.

 

The music side of things, it would be great to be able to let bands and DJ's play various types of music (something the Harley does really well), but would be good to have a quieter area too.

 

Thanks for all those. yes there are quite a few original features that can be used, although regarding the removal of the left over O Neills ceiling boading and rhe covering of the 19th century cornice with that dreadful fake irish clover coving, this depends on what condition they left the originals in. In my experience, pub refurbs tend to take little care of original features so they may well be bashed and battered underneath, or even ripped out completely, not sure yet.

 

The problem with the pool table is its a pub with lots of corners and different areas separated by pillars, so I think there is really no room for it. It never used to have one for that reason.

 

MUSIC...I am not creating a stage area, but there will be space for bands in the future, even if it means stacking away a few tables and chairs.

 

SOFAS: I admit I am NOT a fan of these in pubs as they tend to get very dirty very fast. The present ones absolutely reek and I wont even sit on them they are so disgusting. But we will see.......fabric furniture is a no-no, but maybe some nice washable ones that don't absorb smells and stains.

 

I am also keeping all the current FIXED seating put in by O'Neills in 97 as its actually very high quality wood, very very solid, with good easy to clean materials and better than the original fixed seating that was removed.

[CashBack13]

For anyone who is not in the know, one of Broomhills historic pubs is changing hands later in the year. I refer to THE YORK, a splendid 19th Century Public House which is currently part of the Scream student pub brand. October 20th will be the final day of The York as Scream, after that it passes to us. The York will be closed for 10 days and re-open 31st October which gives us time to do a lot of much needed work inside and out.

 

I am interested in collecting opinions of the York in its various formats. Do you like it as a Scream pub? Did you like it qwhen it was O'neills? Did you prefer it when it was a classic traditional pub prior to 1997?

 

The current plan is to create a traditional real ale led Pub with restoration of many features and space that has been 'blocked off' since 1997. A traditional pub, but not, and I repeat not a 100% locals only style operation, but to create a good blend of locals, students, non students and young professionals, etc.

 

The York will cease to be a Scream Pub, and going with it will be its £1 pint mondays and yellow card discounts, over this we have no control. The interior, which is in poor and unloved condition, will be completely altered, the extent to which has not been decided pending meeting with my surveyor.

 

The more ideas I can gather the better. The currrent overwhelming opinion taken from this forum on the Broomhill pubs thread, and other sources, indicate beyond all doubt that the York should return to a good and well run traditional Pub. Over to you.........feel free to comment here on any aspects, and also vote in the poll which contains a selection of different approaches.

 

Please note that SKY TV and the BIG SCREENS are not part of the acquisition package, and will be removed. Subject to demand, this may be reviewed at a later date. All other Scream F and F will be removed, the bar will be completely re-done, the decor, floors and lighting will be changed, and the pub gets an industrial clean the like of which it has not seen for many years!!

 

Have reasonable priced and good selection of ales not just ya boring bog standard beers and lagers you can find in pretty much any pub i.e Strongbow Fosters,Carling,Carlsberg,Stella,Guiness etc! I've no problem with Students as long as the whole pub isn't dominated/catered towards their needs when they are only there 9 months of the Year!

[CashBack13]

Sky Sports costs 1000's a year for pubs and many are dropping it as the prices have massively increased recently. Plus we are losing all the TV's and screens too so that also requires more investment if we want an equivalent arrangement. I don't want to mirror all the other pubs in the area in all ways, but will listen to all comments on this topic. I believe ALL the other Broomhill pubs have Sky Sports, which does indicate something, but correct me if I am wrong?

 

Does the Nottingham House have Sky Sports I never noticed? If you did have skysports just watch out for any scrougers who come in wanting a free afternoon/evening's entertainment and don't even buy so much as a bag of peanuts! You wouldn't let someone come off the street into your house to watch Sky so why should the Pubs be any different?

[Alastair]

I love the idea of the classic space invaders tables being reintroduced, but does anyone still make them? Last time I looked the originals are real collectors items attracting real collector item prices.

[goldenfleece]

I love the idea of the classic space invaders tables being reintroduced, but does anyone still make them? Last time I looked the originals are real collectors items attracting real collector item prices.

 

They are still made by at least one specialist company. I have also seen some original ones, circa 1980/81 for fair prices on Ebay so I will be looking out for these.....The York never had one originally of course but the Fox and Duck did......

[Strix]

We'll travel to any pub with 'traditional values' as you put it - which in our book means anybody is welcome (including the fuzzy person on a lead), and besides the rotating assortment of well kept brews, some great food would be a bonus

(and just incase you don't know, it isn't illegal to have dogs and food in the same place, and the pubs we already dine in haven't done anything like 'biting the dust' from allowing them in )

 

restored decor would give it a feeling that it truly belongs to Sheffield

[goldenfleece]

We'll travel to any pub with 'traditional values' as you put it - which in our book means anybody is welcome (including the fuzzy person on a lead), and besides the rotating assortment of well kept brews, some great food would be a bonus

(and just incase you don't know, it isn't illegal to have dogs and food in the same place, and the pubs we already dine in haven't done anything like 'biting the dust' from allowing them in )

restored decor would give it a feeling that it truly belongs to Sheffield

 

Dogs will be OK if well behaved. Dogs are welcome in my other pub as long as they don't bite the staff or other customers or don't leave little, or not so little 'accidents' on the premises.

 

Well kept beers that is a promise, and it wont be the bog standard stuff in all pubs. yes we will have stuff like guinness and Strongbow, but the lagers will be different, plus some cask ciders too for plenty of variety. It will be good!

[goldenfleece]

Have reasonable priced and good selection of ales not just ya boring bog standard beers and lagers you can find in pretty much any pub i.e Strongbow Fosters,Carling,Carlsberg,Stella,Guiness etc! I've no problem with Students as long as the whole pub isn't dominated/catered towards their needs when they are only there 9 months of the Year!

 

Yes, better selection assured! And students will not be specifically catered for as they are now, it will be a very cross appeal offer. We will lose many of the £1 a pint and discount drinks student and 6th former yellow card crowd, but this is seen by many as being a very good thing in this area.

[goldenfleece]

For anyone who supports the York is that it is becoming a traditional pub again, there is a group on facebook named SAVE THE YORK (just search for Save the York), so join up and have your say there. At the moment there seems to be a small hardcore of students who want it to remain as a £1 a pint Scream bar, and some are of the opinion traditional pubs are full of "senile pervy old men"....perhaps we can help them to get a different opinion? It is just a handful of current regulars who don't want the change, that is all, but I am disturbed some students seem to have the view that anything that is not a Scream bar is bad......

 

Correct me if I have in fact missed something over the years, but I have never been aware that real Ale pubs attract such types.....