170-year-old Sheffield pub to get bed and breakfast revamp aimed at Peak District visitors

The Friendship, on Manchester Road, Stocksbridge - just two miles from the Peak District - was first built as a pub in the 1850s but was rebuilt as a hotel in 1903.

In recent years the rooms were being used as an office and flats but now, CPL Enterprises Limited with agents Robin Ashley Architects have plans to transform it back into a hotel with outdoor enthusiasts in mind.

In their planning application to Sheffield Council they said the new bed and breakfast would be aimed at walkers and mountain bikers primarily but also commercial visitors during the working week.

Part of the project would involve fully refurbishing the first floor, including current accommodation which they described as 'dated and in a state of disrepair'.

This would be transformed into eight double bed rooms and one single room, each with private en-suites and storage space.

A bicycle store is also proposed with space for at least two bikes per room and for those who cannot bring bikes with them, The Friendship hopes to provide packages including bicycle hire.

Historical elements such as the dumbwaiter and fireplaces will be kept and restored 'as sympathetically as possible'.

They added that they bought the property in 2015 and that year revamped the ground floor pub - which they said was praised by the Campaign for Real Ale for its sympathetic restoration and they intend to continue that level of quality with the rest of the building.

One member of the public, who lives on Brook Row, wrote in support of the plans: “I think this application is a really good idea, as Stocksbridge really needs some accommodation. We sometimes have family visiting who need somewhere to stay and nothing else is available in Stocksbridge.”

To comment on the plans, go to https://planningapps.sheffield.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=Q9PJ1RNYMAS00