The company’s Sheaf Brewery once stood at the bottom of Ecclesall Road, where you can still see its famous brewery arch. The complex was turned into posh flats and Wetherspoon’s opened the Sheaf Island pub on the site.
Ward’s Best Bitter was the best-known brew of the company that dated back to 1837 and it’s now produced as a keg beer by Robinson’s. Cheers!
9. Man in charge
Frank Nicholson, managing director, Vaux and Ward's Breweries, pictured in 1993. He quit his job to lead one of a series of unsuccessful management buyout bids when closure loomed five years later Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
10. Last one
Dennis Priestley takes a look at the last pint brewed at Ward's Brewery Photo: Roger Nadal
11. Sad farewell
Secretary Linda Hutton and other members of the Sheffield and District branch of CAMRA walking to the gates of Ward's Brewery on Ecclesall Road, Sheffield to lay a wreath on June 17, 1999 Photo: Sheffield Newspapers
12. New pub
The Sheaf Island Wetherspoon's pub on the site of the old Ward's Brewery, Ecclesall Road. Photo: barry richardson