Beloved West Street pub returns to its roots under new management
An historic Sheffield pub and music venue reopened its doors last week offering a new space for artists and bands.
The Hallamshire Hotel, on West Street, saw a return to live music for the first time in decades, as the once popular pub returned to its roots.
The site most recently operated as a cocktail bar and restaurant but is now under new management from the team that runs another of Sheffield’s successful music venues, The Washington, on Fitzwilliam Street.
The pub’s new general manager, Will McMahon, said the Hallamshire was perfect for building a new space for live music in the city.
He said: “We’d checked out a few venues but nothing really suited us and then this popped up. We thought the location was great, the fact that it’s got a beer garden on West street, the bar looks amazing from the front and it's amazing on the inside as well.”
During the 1980s and 90s The Hallamshire was a hotbed for musicians and artists, with acts such as Sheffield music scene staples Richard Hawley and Pulp, as well as 90s Irish rock band The Cranberries all performing on its stage.
The pub offers a large open space on the second floor and the new management have plans to convert it back into a gig room.
Mr McMahon said that while he is excited to potentially invite more successful bands to the venue, one of the main objectives is to showcase up and coming acts.
He said: “What we're trying to do is be a space for people who are just starting out, for people who will one day be the next Pulp, or the next Cranberries or the next Richard Hawley.”
The pub's new manager claimed that after suffering a post covid slump, Sheffield’s music scene is now thriving again and a new venue will give more acts the chance to perform.
“We're seeing more new bands than ever, bands that are genuinely brilliant and we're just really excited to be opening a place that, you know, one day potentially they can play here too,” he added.
Since its 80s and 90s heyday, The Hallamshire has remained a fond memory for many of its former patrons, and a Facebook group dedicated to its history is frequently used.
The venue's packed opening night, which saw live music from funk and soul cover band Barry Krisp and The Bangers, and a brand new cocktail menu, was just the first of many planned for the new pub.
Mr McMahon said: “We have some big ideas in place, a live music room being a big part of it, and so this is phase one.
“We've got the doors open and a lick of paint, some a few fresh pieces of artwork, and then phase two and phase three and the bigger plans, they'll come further down the line.”
New study calls for gardeners to receive council tax cuts to tackle climate crisis
Research from the University of Sheffield has called on the government to offer financial rewards for gardeners in a bid to tackle the climate crisis.
The study carried out by Professor Ross Cameron says that policymakers should consider incentives like cuts to council taxes and water bills to households which cover over 50% of their outdoor space in plants.
Professor Cameron said: “Gardens account for a third of all our urban areas and are vital spaces in terms of keeping our buildings and city environments cool in summer, absorbing rain to avoid flash flooding and providing an important refuge for wildlife.
“Gardens need to be green and full of plants to be beneficial to the local environment, and some types of garden are more beneficial than others.”
The research in the study Urban Forestry and Urban Greening says that some cities may have lost up to 50% of their garden space over the last two decades, contributing to global warming.
Professor Cameron added: “The paradox is that many gardens are not actually green and some trends in garden design can be very damaging for the urban environment. We have paved them over to house the car, or provide sterile patio space; factors that increase urban temperatures and increase flooding risk.”
Local gardener, Will Teare from Norton Lees, has turned his garden into a place for both wildlife and his family to enjoy.
Mr Teare said: “When we moved into our house, we thought about how we could create a garden that would help us be more connected to nature, so the most important thing for us has been that it benefits wildlife.
“Humans are responsible for a lot of the loss of habitat for wildlife and we wanted to invite it back into the garden.”
Mr Teare also spoke about how his family are enjoying their new garden.
He said: “The family gets a lot of enjoyment out of it, the birds coming to nest, or watching the frogs and newts around the pond; it brings the garden to life, and is a source of excitement for the kids.”
“I think like us, everyone can work with what space they have, have a small tree, unusual plants, or create different habitats; basically anything other than hard paving can be an asset to wildlife, and benefits us as well.
“So I think incentives to plant a garden will definitely get people to think about it!”
Professor Cameron is writing a book on how introducing plants into your life can have long term benefits to your health.
The book is called ‘How plants can save your life’ and will be published by Quercus on 25 May 2023.
Sheffield councillors sign open letter criticising ‘abhorrent’ Government plans to house asylum seekers in prisons and ferries
Sheffield councillors have signed a 200-people cross-party letter criticising central government’s ‘abhorrent’ and ‘inhumane’ treatment of asylum seekers.
The letter follows controversy over the government’s ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ which could see asylum seekers being housed in former prisons and decommissioned ferries and barges.
Councillor Minesh Parekh, one of the signatories, acknowledges the need for the Government to address illegal crossings, but believes it is not fulfilling its duty of doing so through building “a new asylum system with fairness, dignity, and justice at its heart.”
The letter highlights the case of Hussein Haseeb Ahmed, 31, who is believed to have lost his life due to diphtheria, a bacterial infection affecting the respiratory system, after being housed in ‘extremely overcrowded and completely unacceptable conditions’ at a former Ministry of Defence site in Manston, Kent.
The bill, which is aimed at reducing migration through unsafe and illegal routes, namely regarding crossings in small boats through the English Channel, is set to go through its third reading in the House of Commons.
Cllr Parekh, added: “The government is currently at loggerheads with several local authorities over asylum accommodation plans, and is attempting to push through emergency legislation to allow it to shortcut council planning processes.”
The large number of signatures suggests country-wide support from local councils for increased scrutiny over Home Secretary, Suella Braverman’s, handling of the small boat crossings.
Despite data from the UK parliament suggesting an increased lenience towards asylum seeking applications, with the refusal rate falling to 24 per cent in 2022, its lowest point since 1990, it does not take into account the current application process.
One of the main criticisms in the letter involve the lengthy process which often leaves individuals and families in ‘limbo indefinitely’.
This refers to over 90 per cent of applicants in 2021 having had to appeal an initial refusal of their application. In turn, asylum seekers will often have to wait longer than a year to finally get their application approved, costing an estimated £980m of taxpayer money per year.
On top of this, a report from the Refugee Council suggests safe routes for the five main countries of origin, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Eritrea, and Sudan, have been ‘drastically reduced’.
Cllr Doctor Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini from Oxford, the co-founder of the Migrant Champions Network, commended the efforts of local councillors to denounce this process.
She said: “The fact is that communities up and down the country want to stand in solidarity with people seeking sanctuary and provide them a warm welcome.”
In Sheffield, this was evidenced by the counter protests held in February outside a hotel in Rotherham where anti-immigration demonstrators had garnered.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said: “The majority of the men, women and children who cross the Channel do so because they are desperate to escape war, conflict and persecution.
“No parent sends a child on a desperately dangerous journey without a good reason.”
Morning Briefing: Stories to look out for today
Complaints as government alarm test on millions of phones yesterday did not work for all
Phone users on the network Three have complained after not receiving the 10 second alarm yesterday. Some people received the alarm late, with people waiting for up to 20 minutes.
King Edward’s School: Parents protest against school’s academisation
Hundreds of furious Sheffield parents gathered outside City Hall on Saturday to protest against the forced academisation of King Edward’s School. The Department of Education ordered that the city’s oldest state school must join an academy trust following an Ofsted report which highlighted issues with safeguarding and bullying.
Hendo’s Relish: Sheffield’s Iconic Factory to be rebuilt brick by brick
Work has begun on the reconstruction of the historic Henderson’s Relish factory based on Sheffield University’s campus. The iconic redbrick building will be rebuilt ‘brick by brick’ following its demolition. The university has plans to turn it into a café, restaurant and leisure space.
Sheffield family claims hospital staff ‘laughed’ and ‘refused to help’ dying son
A grieving family voiced their anger at Sheffield Children’s Hospital after they claim medical staff laughed at them and refused to put their son on a nebuliser.
Five-year-old Mohammad Ayaan Haroon, known as Ayaan, was rushed to hospital earlier this month, after his father found him struggling to breathe.
The young boy was given X-rays and treated at A&E for a suspected chest infection before he was sent to the ward under observation, but sadly died in intensive care on 13 March.
His father, Haroon Rashid, 41, said the staff were unprofessional and laughed at them. He said: “They failed my son. They didn’t give him the treatment he needed. The medical staff was even laughing in my face; they showed no compassion at all."
When Ayaan was moved to the ward, Mr Rashid told medical professionals his son needed a suction machine and a nebuliser, but the medical staff ignored him.
He said: “I told them I would do it myself, but they refused and claimed I wasn’t competent to do it. I had been trained by this very hospital to carry out this type of practice at home, but they wouldn’t help me save my son."
Ayaan had a long history of respiratory illnesses and had been treated at Sheffield Children’s Hospital since he was born.
Mr Rashid said: “I have a lot of experience with this hospital and never had an issue.”
During the week Ayaan was in hospital, Mr Rashid claims he made repeated complaints to staff for unprofessional behaviour, but none of them were taken seriously. He has now filed an official complaint to the hospital for what he labels “medical negligence”.
In a statement expressing his condolences to the family, Dr Jeff Perring, Medical Director at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said:” There will be a thorough internal investigation of the care and treatment Ayaan received at the hospital between 5 and 13 March which will cover the concerns raised in Mr Rashid’s complaint.”
The family is now hoping to carry out an external investigation into their son’s death, with the help of Zaheer Ahmed, the uncle of Yusuf Mahmud Nazir, another young boy who died of so-called medical negligence in South Yorkshire.
They will be meeting with the Chief Executive of Sheffield’s Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Ruth Brown, to discuss the next steps.
Sheffield City Council frantically counting their pennies after losing £300m per year in grants
Sheffield City Council has lost £300m per year in annual grants since 2010, working out as a loss of £13,000 per household, new figures have revealed.
The drastic cuts mean many vital local services have been stripped to the bone.
This comes after a unanimous decision was reached at City Council’s 2023/24 budget meeting, despite an initial failure to approve proposed amendments.
With council tax now up to the legal maximum level (without a referendum) of 4.99%, local governments are clutching for pennies, as they now have to make up for the lack of funding provided by the government.
According to new research from Legal and General (L&G), cost of living pressures is widening the inequalities that the levelling-up agenda is aiming to address.
The research revealed the extent to which rising costs have battered household finances, particularly for the poorest in society.
These figures show 47% of households in the UK are concerned about not being able to keep up with rent and mortgage payments.
John Godfrey, Director of levelling-up at L&G, believes there is light at the end of the tunnel. He said: "Legal and General has already invested billions and is continuing to invest in towns and cities across the UK, including Sheffield."
Sheffield’s Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Crookes and Crosspool, Minesh Parekh, 29, said local governments are now in an ‘angering position’.
He said: “We have serious and great ambitions for our city and we want people to thrive. We know there are huge pockets of deprivation and huge pockets of poverty, and you can’t tackle that without sustained long-term investment and autonomy of funding.
“It feels like particular pockets are focused on and supported, particularly in the South East, so everyone else is left to scramble and do what they can do for themselves, which is not a way to run a country.”
These announcements come days after the government said it would hand out more than £800m in further levelling up and regeneration funding as part of the budget.
Sheffield medics initiative to increase fitness levels
Low fitness levels are top of the agenda for Sheffield health professionals after a decline in exercise following the Covid pandemic.
At an event hosted by Move More Sheffield last Thursday (23 March), medics shared the best ways to get through to patients get physical.
GP Jo Maher said fitness levels are far below where they should be and can have significant consequences on people's health.
"The fact is that being overweight is a risk factor for heart disease, for cancer and for poor general health," she said.
In Yorkshire, the percentage of adults who were physically inactive jumped from 25.6% to 29.2% during the first year of the pandemic.
Local GP Fran Norman said: "Everything closed down. People were told to stay in their houses, so of course people weren't moving as much.
"Habit forming's really important. Coming out of the habit of being physically active [means] it's then really hard to get going again."
The dip in fitness has also affected children, with just 45% getting the recommended amount of exercise across England (at least one hour a day) in 2020.
Levels have now returned to pre-pandemic levels, but these are still less than half of all children at just 47%.
Inactivity varies across different demographics. Mixed race people are the most active with 68% considered physically active, while Asian people are the least active at just 50.4%.
Dr Maher explained that poverty also plays a role in fitness levels.
She said: "Unfortunately we know there's a very strong link between people who live in more deprived areas of the city don't have the same opportunities to access physical activity as people in the more wealthy areas."
"I'm afraid this plays out in the number of years people can expect to live a healthy life."
Move More runs outreach projects for poorer areas, trying to give their residents more opportunities for exercise. These include Active Burngreave, which runs Romani dance classes, fitness clubs for young men and a Somali disabled women's group.
Thousands of people participated in Sheffield Half Marathon to raise money for various charities
Sheffield Half Marathon saw thousands of people running for charity in the city yesterday, but here's a closer look at why some people got involved.
Jayne Grayson: I ran for Cavendish Cancer Care in memory of my mum, nan and sister
Jayne Grayson, 52, ran with the Valley Hill Runners to raise over £300 for Cavendish Cancer Care, an organisation providing support, counselling, and specialist services for thousands of people affected by cancer in Sheffield.
She said: "My nan, mum and sister all died from breast cancer and I have the genetic gene so it's a constant worry, but I keep on going to earn a little bit for this great cause.
"I know times are tough but I wanted to raise a bit of money for Cavendish Cancer Care as they are a vital charity."
Callum Penn: I raised money for Daring to Dream in memory of my sister Amy
Daring to Dream is a charity devoted to helping young patients with chronic illnesses live normal lives.
Callum Penn, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: "I decided to run for this charity as my sister worked very closely with them towards the end of her life, organising a ball that raised just short of £15,000 for them.
"Completing this challenge in her memory helped me process emotions, brought me closer to her and allowed me to contribute to a cause she believed so much in."
Callum took part in the race alongside his close friend Euan Escott and Euan's father Mark, who also raised money for Daring to Dream.
Euan Escott said he was initially unsure if he would take part in the marathon due to an injury in his foot.
He said: "On race day I felt pain in my injured foot around 9km into the race but was determined to push through, reminding myself of how small this setback was compared to the challenges Amy faced throughout her life, and the extraordinary bravery she showed."
Their combined total sits at almost £3000, a contribution they are all extremely proud of.
You can donate to Callum's cause here.
Theo Letts: I raised £186 for Teenage Cancer Trust
Theo Letts, 21, a student at the University of Sheffield, said: "I decided to challenge myself by running the half marathon - the first competitive half I've ever done, and by doing so I raised money for Teenage Cancer Trust.
"They do some incredible work supporting young people and, having friends who have experience the amazing support they provide, I'm so glad I could help them in their mission."
Charlie Lutz: I ran for Alzheimer's Society
Charlie Lutz, 21, a student at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "I raised £300 for Alzheimer's Society because dementia runs in my family and I wanted to get into a new hobby.
"I also quit smoking around a year ago and wanted healthier lungs."
Barnsley travel to Exeter City with automatic promotion hopes still on
Barnsley travel to Exeter City tomorrow night with faint automatic promotion hopes still intact, with The Tykes winning their last four matches convincingly in League One action.
Their last victory was the most impressive, unsettling Darren Moore's Sheffield Wednesday throughout the 90 minutes at Oakwell. This resulted in a 4-2 victory, Max Watters and Liam Kitching netting late on to end The Owls' astounding 23 match unbeaten run.
Now, Michael Duff's men have Exeter City in their sights.
The Barnsley manager isn't however getting carried away by his side's recent blistering form, calling for calm ahead of what could be an unpredictable few game weeks.
He hasn't even looked at the current league standings, The Tykes six points off that coveted 2nd spot.
He said: "I've genuinely not thought about it. One thing the weekend does show you, you can't take anything for granted.
"No matter how much you think 'that's a banker' - you look at some of the results from the weekend. It has a funny habit, football, of kicking you in the nether regions. We just need to keep focussed on ourselves."
Gary Caldwell's Exeter City do come into this contest off the back of a barnstorming 5-0 victory over Accrington Stanley, Grecians new boy Demetri Mitchell scoring the pick of the bunch in a resounding win.
Another new face in the building at Exeter also scored against John Coleman's Stanley, ex Hull City striker James Scott netting Exeter's fourth of the contest.
He spoke to Exeter City's website about the almighty challenge of Barnsley at St James Park on Tuesday evening.
He said: "Barnsley are on fire right now, 12 unbeaten but we've just won 5-0 and if we take that into the game I feel we can beat them.
"We will recover, eat well and drink well on Sunday, then come back in on Monday and go over everything and go again on Tuesday.
"I'm knocking on Gary's door every day for a start! But seriously the team is doing so well and I'm happy and when I come on I try and do my best and give my all."
Exeter City v Barnsley will kick-off at St James Park on Tuesday evening at 7:45pm. YouTube highlights will be available on both Exeter and Barnsley's channels after.
Local charity fights against the demolition of historic Sheffield building
The demolition of Mappin's Coffee House, which was bought by KMS Estates, is being challenged by a charity and protesters.
Leading the campaign against the demolition is Hallamshire Historic Buildings (HHBS), a volunteer-run charity which aims to protect the architectural heritage of Sheffield and surrounding areas.
They claim the commercial development business KMS Estates Ltd are attempting to fast-track the building's demolition.
The charity said on their main site: "Mappin’s Coffee House complements the Victorian shop fronts alongside it. The proposed replacement building would be a disproportionate and overbearing blight on London Road."
HHBS have put forward the hashtag #savemappinscoffeehouse in an effort to get the preservation of the building trending.
They claim that unless Sheffield City Council intervene with an Article 4 direction to protect the building, then the Steel City could face losing the landmark as early as 5 April.
HHBS stated they found this decision "by accident" with no prior notification from the city council planning department. As of this week, the charity found over 110 people objecting to these development plans.
"This is a socially important and locally innovative building designed by one of Sheffield’s most prominent
architectural practices for an outstanding philanthropist, social reformer and metal trades entrepreneur.
"It makes a strong contribution to the streetscape both in its architecture and its illustration of historical development. Its loss
would be both very regrettable and unnecessary."
For those seeking to help the charity, the organisation has asked to contact a local councillor and help create the Article 4 direction.
The planning application can be found here.
“Excessive” fines mean South Yorkshire Animal Rescue will close after 40 years in business
South Yorkshire Animal Rescue, a local business in Walkley, announced their closure this week after 40 years due to online shopping and "excessive amounts of parking fines."
The charity and pet rescue shop was established in 1983, and rehomed and rehabilitated thousands of animals, such as hedgehogs and cats.
The owners displayed a sign that claimed their closure was due to passing trade in the area "falling dramatically over the past couple of years."
A local resident said: "There used to be all sorts of shops in Walkley. Butchers, paper shops, wool shops.
"I think parking is a problem — we don't like the fact that the council has blocked off access to Crookes, and I think more and more people shop online nowadays."
The company also stated that the quality of charity shop donations has decreased, with many people selling their things on second hand sites such as eBay and Vinted.
Another local said: "It's very sad, but Walkley is a transient place There's a lot of young people who move on so we tend to get a lot of new changes with businesses moving on.
"People haven't got money to keep the stores going and I have to go to the cheapest unfortunately."
New radical film festival will provide platform for discussion on International Workers’ Day
A Sheffield-based cinema group has organised a radical film festival to provide a platform for discussion about industrial action.
The Radical Film Festival, hosted by Community Kino, will allow people taking part in International Workers' Day to discuss social and political issues in a conversation guided by the films they are watching.
The festival will take place on 1 May at Sheffield Quaker Meeting House on Saint James Street, and is priced at £4.50 per film ticket.
Community Kino founder Jordan Blake, 32, said: “We want to show that it’s not just in cinema that these struggles are happening - it’s in your hometown, in Sheffield. Workers are striking, workers are winning, and here is how you can do it as well.
“The choice of films that we have and the choice of people that will be involved in the discussions are designed to celebrate but also offer an insight into what is going on in Sheffield.”
Two Ken Loach movies, Bread and Roses and The Spirit of '45, will be shown in the festival and a further date will be added to highlight films by other directors.
Notice boards, which Mr Blake has dubbed ‘coordinates of struggle’, will be set up in the venue to inform attendees of what events and strikes are taking place and how they can get involved.
Groups such as Sheffield TUC, Chile Solidarity Network, The World Transformed, Green New Deal Rising, and independent bookstores and publishers have shown their support and are collaborating with the event.
Mr Blake said: “There seems to be a lot of excitement about it. We’ve had a lot of people get in touch who want to be involved.
“People are excited that there’s something cultural that's political. It’s not just a demonstration or a protest or a talk, they can actually have fun while discussing things like this.”
Community Kino was set up in January 2023 as a community cinema that offers more than just film viewings.
The meetings, which take place on the second Wednesday of every month, offer meals, a film and a platform for guided discussion on social and political issues.