Popular Bramall Lane pub to reopen with keen Sheffield United fan at the helm

The Railway Hotel’s former tenants called last orders on July 1 when they announced they would be leaving the business with “immediate effect” following the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the hospitality trade.

But Carol Donaldson, who is a keen Sheffield United fan and jointly runs the Facebook page ‘Blade2Blade’ has stepped in to take over the venue after it was marketed to new tenants.

Nicholson & Co, the agent instructed search for a new tenant, said they had four applications for The Railway but none could match the “passion and commitment” shown by Carol and her team.

The company’s director, Martin Nicholson, said: “I’ve been interviewing for pubs, letting pubs, and selling pubs for the thick end of 30 years and I would have given the keys to any of those four people who applied but you couldn’t take away from Carol’s energy and enthusiasm.

"She’s a mad Blade but a business lady as well. She’s run pubs and cafes in the past and we were able to do a deal in less than 24 hours before giving her the keys on Friday, July 31.

"She’s no doubt in there tidying up and getting it ready to open up. I know she’s aiming to try and open towards, if not on, the bank holiday at the end of this month.

"Obviously she’s got a lot of contacts with ‘Blade2Blade’ – I think there are around 8,000 members on that – so she’s hoping for some to come down and help her tidy up, paint it and what have you.”

Ms Donaldson plans to upgrade and invest in the building and said she is hoping to start trading as “soon as possible” as a traditional tavern.

Mr Nicholson added: “She wants a traditional tavern with a nice selection of beers and a darts club - a real traditional pub so that people from that area have somewhere to go to and she’s absolutely full of energy for it.”

An online fundraising page has since been created by fellow Blades fans to help support Carol with the renovations.

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