A new pub in the centre of Sheffield is closer to opening after construction work began this week.
Brewery Thornbridge & Co aims to open the site, which is located opposite Sheffield Town Hall, this autumn.
Simon Webster, co-founder and CEO of Thornbridge said: “I’d like to think the pub will bring many people to Fargate, it has always been an important area in Sheffield and it’s good that we are one of the first trying to reignite the area.
“Sheffield needs a strong Fargate and I think with the great landscaping work and future plans it is very exciting.
“Historically people enjoy socialising in the city centre and with the improvements that have happened in Sheffield we are about to see the city centre thrive again.”
Thornbridge & Co have worked on this project alongside the council.
Mr Webster said: “Whenever we’ve needed help, they have been very good communicators and have been supportive of our plans.”
Whilst the project has experienced delays, Mr Webster said that ‘the parties involved have all had a willingness and belief to get it over the line’.
The pub will sit over two floors and have a large licensed outdoor area, which will be capable of hosting up to 250 guests.
Latest figures for March to April showed that footfall across Sheffield city centre is up 3 per cent on the same period in 2024. Fargate itself saw a 14 per cent increase for the same period.
Dave Pickersgill, Pub Heritage officer at the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said the pub could have a positive impact on the local economy.
He said: “It is a destination venue in the centre of town and will be used by those at Town Hall meetings as a place to have follow-on meetings which improves the town centre.
“The biggest challenges pubs opening today face are costs. They have to offer quality in order to survive, a race to the bottom will not work.”
When asked what CAMRA thinks makes a good pub in 2025, he said: “Bottom line is cleanliness and beer quality, if they are good, everything else follows.”
Thornbridge & Co also own multiple other successful venues in places like York, Leeds and Birmingham.
Coun Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Committee, at Sheffield City Council said: “We look forward to seeing The Fargate completed and open for business, adding another brilliant venue for the people of Sheffield to enjoy a drink and bite to eat.”
Main Image: Ben Miskell stands outside the building where the new pub will open, alongside people from Thornbridge & Co.