£198,000 INVESTMENT TO REOPEN HISTORIC ECCLESFIELD PUB AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR'S CLOSURE

A much-loved Ecclesfield pub is to reopen after more than a year’s closure thanks to a £198,000 investment that will transform it into a top quality family-friendly local with a pretty garden, dedicated games room and varied entertainment programme.

The refurbishment of The Black Bull on Church Street is being undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs and Barnsley born-and-bred licensees Simon Woodcock and Richard Hepplestone. The duo run five other pubs across South Yorkshire including The Star Hotel at Cudworth and Gawber Road Working Men’s Club in Barnsley.

Work starts on the 1^st July and The Black Bull is expected to open its doors again by the end of the month, creating 10 new jobs.

The overhaul will completely renovate the outside of the beautiful old pub, adding new signage, lighting and planting. A sheltered cobbled courtyard garden will be developed with new furniture seating more than 40 customers, festoon lighting and a screen for watching sports.

A total revamp of the tired, dated interior will upgrade The Black Bull with a stylish look that is in keeping with the historic building but also has a contemporary twist with designer features like light fittings. To cater for the whole community, the pub will have three distinct zones – a comfortable carpeted lounge, a spacious bar and one of the best games rooms in the area, which will be kitted out with a pool table, darts and screens showing Sky Racing, Racing TV and Sky and TNT Sports.

Simon and Richard want The Black Bull to build a reputation for superb beer and are installing state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints. The pub will stock premium lagers, craft beer and three cask ales – including a regularly changing guest ale – and Cask Marque accreditation will be sought for their quality. Fresh coffee and a wide selection of wines, spirits and cocktails will be offered, too. On the food front, The Black Bull will have an all-day menu of pub favourites, such as pizzas, burgers and pies.

Other changes include redecorating the toilets and a full package of energy efficiency measures to boost the pub’s sustainability.

The business partners have lots of activities planned to help reinstate The Black Bull as a hub of village life. The pair are keen to start up pool and darts teams and to hear from anyone interested in joining. On the cards as well are live music, DJs, quizzes and bingo, plus fundraisers in aid of local charities selected by regulars.

Says Simon, a former customer of The Black Bull in the 1980s and 90s: “The Black Bull was thriving in its heyday. We want to save it and bring it back up to scratch as a fantastic local. There’s massive affection for the pub in the village and there’s been lots of concern for its future. It’s terrific to have so much support for the pub’s revival – it shows just how much people still value a good local.”

Comments Lorna Willoughby, Star Pubs’ investment manager for Yorkshire: “We’re delighted to be working with Simon and Richard to bring such a well-known pub back to life. They’re the stable, experienced hands The Black Bull needs. They have got a track record of running popular pubs across South Yorkshire and understand just want people want.

“The Ecclesfield pub scene struggled post the pandemic but is now seeing a resurgence, and we’re pleased to be playing our part. The Black Bull will look amazing when the works are completed; we’re changing everything from the furniture to the flooring, and will be making the most of its location with tables providing views of the church opposite. The garden gets lots of sun, so it will be a lovely spot to enjoy the rest of the summer.”

The Black Bull is thought to date back to the early 1800s. Simon and Richard are appealing for any information on its history or photographs of the pub through the ages. Explains Simon, “We ran a poll asking residents whether we should change the pub’s name; 80% of respondents wanted to retain it as The Black Bull. There are lots of stories about how it came to be called that. It would be great to know more about the pub’s past.”