Brewery boss offers to turn these Sheffield pubs into temporary Covid-19 vaccination centres

As the UK’s biggest mass vaccination programme in the fight against Covid-19 continues, a Sheffield brewery boss says he would be willing to allow his closed pubs to be used as jab centres.
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Sheffield’s Fly DSA arena in Attercliffe is set to be turned into a mass vaccination centre for people living in the city and beyond, as part of the Government’s initiative to vaccinate 14 million people by mid-February.

But concerns have been raised about the number of vaccination of centres, and how accessible they are, with almost one in four people living in a local area without a vaccination centre, according to research published by The Times.

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Lockdown three means the country’s pubs have been forced to close their doors once again, and the managing director of True North, Kane Yeardley, says he would be willing to offer up the brewery’s closed establishments to assist with the vaccination roll-out.

He said: “We’re based in neighbourhoods and have everything you need – a car park, refrigerators and two areas that could be used for vaccinations and recovery. People need to be able to recover for 20 minutes or so after a vaccination so having two areas that can be used is important. We’d like to help if we can.”

True North has 12 pubs across Sheffield, Barnsley and Dronfield including The York in Broomhill, The Broadfield on Abbeydale Road, The Punchbowl in Crookes and the Waggon and Horses in Millhouses.

Kane’s comments come after the co-founder of BrewDog, James Watt, Tweeted saying the firm would be willing to offer up its bars for vaccination centres and copied in Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

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He subsequently told his followers that BrewDog, a multinational brewery and pub chain with a premises on Sheffield’s Division Street, was “in talks” with the Minister For Vaccine Deployment, Nadhim Zahawi and Nicola Sturgeon.

True North's Kane Yeardley pictured at the Riverside pub in Kelham Island. Photo: Chris EtchellsTrue North's Kane Yeardley pictured at the Riverside pub in Kelham Island. Photo: Chris Etchells
True North's Kane Yeardley pictured at the Riverside pub in Kelham Island. Photo: Chris Etchells

Pub and café chain, Loungers, which owns Zorro in Stocksbridge and Amaro on Ecclesall Road, has also offered up its establishments.

Kane said he is waiting to see how the Government responds to the offers made by BrewDog and Loungers, and for now True North’s pubs are on standby.

BrewDog and Loungers have both been contacted for comment.

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All pharmacies should be used as part of the vaccine programme as they are trusted, have the expertise and are local to every community. JPIMedia's 'Shot In The Arm' campaign calls for everyone to have the ability to get a jab within 10 minutes of their home by using our great pharmacy network.All pharmacies should be used as part of the vaccine programme as they are trusted, have the expertise and are local to every community. JPIMedia's 'Shot In The Arm' campaign calls for everyone to have the ability to get a jab within 10 minutes of their home by using our great pharmacy network.
All pharmacies should be used as part of the vaccine programme as they are trusted, have the expertise and are local to every community. JPIMedia's 'Shot In The Arm' campaign calls for everyone to have the ability to get a jab within 10 minutes of their home by using our great pharmacy network.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.