John O'Gaunt: CAMRA warn of 'pub closure apocalypse' as council approve demolition of popular Sheffield boozer
A local pub is now set to be demolished - with campaigners warning that this could be the start of an ongoing trend as the hospitality industry faces ongoing problems.
In 2022, the John O’Gaunt Hotel on Blackstock Road, Gleadless Valley, closed its doors for good.
Since then, the pub has fallen victim to arson attacks and was described in reports as ‘no longer fit for purpose’.
In November 2025, developers sent plans to Sheffield City Council to demolish the building and clear the site, which was approved on Wednesday(January 13).
The announcement comes amidst a number of problems plaguing the hospitality industry, with 2026 already seeing the loss of the The Closed Shop in Crookesmoor and Turner's Craft Beer on Abbeydale Road.
CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) has been in an ongoing battle with the government following last year’s Budget announcement on changes to business rates.
Now, the local branch has warned of a coming ‘pub closure apocalypse’ as rising costs continue to make opening and preserving pubs impossible.
Neil Harvey, of CAMRA’s Sheffield branch, told The Star: “Sadly, we at CAMRA don’t think this will be the last closure that we’ll see in the Sheffield area this year.
“CAMRA and the wider hospitality industry are warning of a potential ‘pub closure apocalypse’ in 2026, driven by soaring business rates, increased alcohol duty, high energy costs, and rising National Insurance contributions, with forecasts suggesting thousands of closures nationwide without urgent government intervention, especially following tax hikes in late 2025/early 2026.
“While specific 2026 closure figures aren't out yet, the trend from 2025 (around one pub lost daily) is expected to worsen, with CAMRA actively campaigning for fairer business rates and tax cuts to save locals.
“Hopefully, the latest government climbdown over pub business rates may help soften the blow, but, even then, pubs still face much higher business rates than they did in 2025.”