'I'm proud of transformation' says boss accused of breaking planning rules at former Sheffield pub
Sheffield Council is taking action of breach over planning rules
The businessman behind a Sheffield takeaway accused of transforming a former city pub without planning permission says he is proud of what he has created.
The former Royal Standard, on St Mary’s Road, near Highfield, Sheffield, closed as a pub several years ago, and has now been transformed into the Harlem House takeaway.
However, Sheffield Council is taking action over unauthorised changes, which were made without planning permission and have been criticised by the pubs pressure Group, Campaign for Real Ale.
Owner Daniel Ismail said he was continuing to engage in constructive dialogue with the council, and described the Harlem House as a success story.
He said: “We’ve made genuine efforts to engage with all interested groups, including Campaign for Real Ale. Unfortunately, those conversations were declined. It does raise the question, if the priority is truly preserving these spaces, where are similar efforts being made when buildings like this and many others are left in an abandoned and deteriorating state?
“We remain open to constructive dialogue with anyone willing to engage.”
He said the business was committed to preserving the building as a vibrant, long-term community asset and would truly appreciate the support of Sheffield Council in achieving its goals.
He said he was proud of creating what he believes to be a genuine asset to the city, contributing to the local economy, and to sponsoring two Sheffield football teams and a local boxing club, adding that across the business now employed 35 people in the city, and was locally owned and based.
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He said: "We are proud of the transformation of the former Royal Standard Public House, into Harlem House, now a thriving restaurant and a growing Sheffield success story.
“Upon acquiring the building we learnt that it had been left in an abandoned state and had suffered years of neglect, break-ins and post pandemic damage. Rather than see another historic pub fall into dereliction, we stepped in, invested heavily, and brought it back to life.”
He said it was now putting Sheffield on the map.