A once-popular Sheffield pub may open its doors again with new owners after a licensing application was submitted to the City Council.
The Devonshire Cat, located on Wellington Street, closed down during the pandemic as lockdown costs became too high for previous owners, Abbeydale Brewery.
The Brewery voluntarily surrendered the building’s alcohol licence when it vacated the premises in 2020. The licence includes permission for live music performances and late night opening hours to 3.30am.
The new owners of the building, Prime Land Limited, are seeking to get back the licence on behalf of new tenants who will run the bar. Director of the company, Liaqat Khan, said: “We are applying for exactly the same licence previously held by the Abbeydale Brewery. The Police, fire services and the council are happy with it and the venue has had an alcohol licence since 2005.”
However, the application has raised concerns with some residents’ groups which object to the bar’s proposed late-night opening hours.
Peter Sefton, speaking on behalf of residents’ association Changing Sheff, said: “The building is in the midst of a rapidly developing and predominantly residential part of the city centre. It is inappropriate for a pub to stay open to 3.30am when surrounded by high occupancy residential buildings.
“We welcome the reopening of the pub but there are so many people living in the city centre now so there has to be a balance between the night time economy and those that want a good night’s sleep.
“35,000 people are likely to live in the city centre within the next decade. We hope the Licensing Committee recognises the changing nature of many parts of the city centre into predominantly residential areas.”
The Devonshire Cat is located next to many residential buildings.
The bar is located near other venues like Corporation and the Washington which hold late night licences beyond 3am. Mr Khan believes this should apply to the Devonshire Cat.
A licensing sub-committee meeting is set for May 10 at Sheffield Town Hall to discuss the issue.
