Plan to knock down Sheffield pub and build Co-op food store

A food retailer plans to knock down a Sheffield pub and build a shop in its place - despite a community campaign to protect it.
Co-op wants to knock down The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue and build a shop in its place.Co-op wants to knock down The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue and build a shop in its place.
Co-op wants to knock down The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue and build a shop in its place.

The Co-operative Group this week submitted a planning application to demolish The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue, Brincliffe Edge.

The firm was to replace the pub with a shop. But a group of residents have already applied to list the building as an asset of community value, or ACV.

The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle AvenueThe Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue
The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue
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If approved, the ACV listing would give the community six months to come up with a bid to buy the pub if it were put up for sale.

A spokesman for the Co-op said: "It is our belief that a new store would greatly improve the shopping options for Sheffield residents, providing - for example - a wide selection of fresh and chilled products and in-store bakery, all within walking distance.

“A new store will also create a number of new full and part time jobs, which will be targeted at local residents and offer a variety of skills and training programmes."

And a spokesman for Enterprise Inns, which owns The Cherry Tree Inn, added: “Unfortunately, trade at our venue, The Cherry Tree, Sheffield has fallen to such an extent that we do not believe it can continue to trade successfully as a licensed premises.

The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle AvenueThe Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue
The Cherry Tree Inn in Carter Knowle Avenue
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"After careful consideration we decided to explore alternative uses for the property and have agreed a lease for the site with Co-op. We are aware of the nomination to list the pub as an asset of community value.”

Sheffield Council is expected to make a decision on the ACV application next month.

Dave Pickersgill, pub heritage officer for the Sheffield branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, or Camra, said: "Sheffield Camra is disappointed this planning application has been submitted while Sheffield Council are considering an ACV application for the Cherry Tree.

"The application indicates the strength of local opinion that the pub should be allowed to develop and prosper."

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Six people have already objected to the planning application, with several pointing out that a similar food store nearby closed down due to lack of trade.

Margaret Ellis, of Bannderdale Road, said: "There is a shop that has been standing empty on the other side of the road for two years, apparently with planning permission for redevelopment, including a store, so it seems unnecessary to knock down the pub to create a new shop.

"That same empty shop was also originally a Co-op, some 15-plus years ago, and was sold because it didn't do enough business. What evidence is there that another Co-op would do any better?"

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