Famous brewery which transformed Sheffield beer scene could be turned into seafood restaurant
It was famed as the brewery which transformed Sheffield’s brewing industry with famous beers like Pale Rider.
But now the former Kelham Island brewery, next to the Fat Cat pub, in Kelham Island, is at the centre of plans to convert it into a seafood restaurant.
Kelham Island Property Limited says the building is no longer used as a brewery, and now wants to find a new use for the building.
So it has sent a planning application in to Sheffield Council asking to transform the site.
The building on Alma Street was the base for the brewery for some 32 years..
A letter submitted with the planning application, outlining the plans, says: “The existing building was formerly in use as a brewery known as ‘Kelham Island Brewery’ but is currently vacant following its closure in 2022. “
It adds: “The proposed change of use will allow the use of the building as a restaurant.
“The applicant’s current intention is for a high-quality seafood-based food offer. It is intended that the restaurant will feature locally-based ingredients including the potential use of Kelham Island Brewery ales within fish batters in recognition of the former use of the building.
“As a restaurant, the majority of customers will dine-in but the restaurant will also offer off-sales. Current expectations suggest a ratio of approximately 70:30 dine-in to takeaway sales.”
The Kelham Island Brewery brand was rescued by a consortium including the Tramlines festival co-founder James O’Hara and Thornbridge Brewery, which stepped in to keep their famous brews alive.
But they have not been brewed at the original brewery for three years.
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Kelham Island Brewery was said to be the first independent brewery in the city for 100 years when it opened in 1990 in the beer garden of The Fat Cat pub. But its closure was announced in May 2022, the company having been badly impacted by the Covid pandemic.
At the time of the rescue, James O’Hara, who put the group together after hearing about the brewery’s closure, said: “Kelham Island Brewery, and its flagship beer Pale Rider, are known and revered beyond Sheffield. It’s heritage that we, as a city, should be really proud of. We couldn't let that just disappear, it means too much within the city and to the UK’s beer culture for it to become another Wikipedia entry.”
If it gets the go-ahead, the owners want to open the restaurant from 11.30am to 11pm, Tuesday to Sunday and be closed on Mondays. They would also look to make some alterations to the building.