The Old Queen's Head Pub

[AY1975]

Does anyone know what is happening with the Old Queen's Head pub on Pond Street by the bus station?

 

When I tried to go in there at about 9.30pm last Saturday it had a To Let sign up and there were lights on and people inside but the entrance looking towards Flat Street was locked. When I tried to go in there one evening earlier this year it was closed and there were no lights on.

[Thirsty Relic]

I used to pop in there regularly, but I've not been in since it started being run a few months back by a woman who clearly doesn't understand the term "customer service", and treats customers as if they are inconveniences to her.  The first time I saw her I just thought she was in a bad mood that day, but after a couple more visits, it was clear that was her normal attitude, so I've not bothered since.  Pity, as it used to be a good boozer.

[crookesey]

She didn’t look anything like the woman on the pub’s sign did she? 🤨

[HeHasRisen]

From an old thread on here I recall they do like to play a bit fast and loose with their published opening hours.

[SheffieldForum]

It is to let on the brewery site:

 

https://www.runathwaitespub.co.uk/blog/property/old-queens-head/

 

 

[crookesey]

My late grandfather knew and, I believe, used the pub that was located close to his employer, Joseph Rodgers. This would have been towards the end of WW1, he was one of the lucky ones, too young for WW1 and too old for WW11.

[prince al]

I heard that it’s not very welcoming.

[S42]

Used to go in fairly regularly as I work around there and it was decent when the youngish couple had it, good selection of guest beers alongside the Thwaites regulars and cheap and cheerful food at lunchtime. Last couple of times I went in the beer selection was poor so haven't bothered going back.

[birobasher]

It's got into a bit of a doom spiral - they'd been struggling to get people in for a while. When the current management took over they started calling last orders around 1015, ostensibly to help staff get home without recourse to taxis. Later on, as people still didn't turn up, they started shutting earlier and earlier to mitigate their staff/fuel costs. At a certain point in the winter they wouldn't even turn the heating on. That's when me and my friends went elsewhere.  

 

I'll go back and give it a try when someone else has taken it over.  The problem with the current people running it is they didn't really do anything to improve the place. Even cosmetic stuff like repairing the fittings in the toilets would help.  The QH is a bit isolated in a way - surrounded by modern office blocks. However, it's only five to ten minutes walk from the Sheffield Tap at the station, The Howard and Rutland Arms. It's perfectly possible to market it as part of a crawl round that end of town.  

[prince al]

Can the council stick an old sticky container in front of it and sell bottles of lager from an oil drum? At least it will be more welcoming?