Cheers! Parson Cross Pub Reopens After £500,000 Revamp

It’s a double celebration for one Sheffield pub this week, which is not only reopening after a 15-month closure but is showcasing its stunning £500,000 makeover for the first time.

The Beagle on Knutton Crescent in Parson Cross was due to reopen at the beginning of April following the refurbishment by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars. Instead, due to the lockdown, new licensees and Sheffield residents Michelle Spencer and Joanne Platts have had to wait a further three months before revealing the changes to local residents.

The investment has transformed The Beagle inside and out and restored it as a great quality community local. The revamp has given the pub a stylish contemporary look and added a kitchen so that Michelle and Joanne can bring in traditional pub food ranging from fish & chips to burgers. There is also a wide choice of drinks including good coffee and premium wines, spirits and beers. Once restrictions are eased, a sports area with a darts board, a high-spec AV system and Sky Sports will come into use.

With social distancing required, the duo are delighted that the project included a makeover of The Beagle’s outside space. The pub now boasts a sunny alfresco area at the rear complete with seating for around 30 people, pretty planting and festoon lighting for the evenings as well as more tables at the front.

Michelle and Joanne have instigated a host of measures to meet new health & safety guidelines and ensure customers’ safety. Tables have been spaced out and customers are encouraged to book in advance. Staff will greet them at the door, show them to their seats and provide table service. There is also a one-way system and hand-sanitiser stations plus an App for ordering and paying, though the pub will still accept cash and take orders in the normal way from those without phones.

Long-time friends Michelle – who has lived in Wincobank for the last 30 years – and Chapeltown born-and-bred Joanne want The Beagle to become a hub of Parson Cross life. Despite the closure, they ran a virtual weekly quiz and posted funny memes throughout the lockdown to keep the community’s spirits up.

The Beagle is Michelle and Joanne’s first pub of their own, although they’ve worked in Sheffield pubs for many years. Says Michelle: “The Beagle looks absolutely amazing and really classy. There’s nothing like it in the area; it’s overwhelming to be the licensees. We love making people happy and we hope having a new-look local will bring residents some much-needed cheer in these strange times.  We can’t wait to open the doors and welcome people in.

“The neighbours have been really supportive. They’ve kept an eye on the pub during the lockdown and given us lots of good wishes and encouragement. It has meant the world to us and we can’t thank them enough.”

Comments Grant Morgan-Tolworthy, Star Pubs & Bars’ operations director for South Yorkshire: “We’re passionate about creating great pubs and have revamped The Beagle from top to bottom – hopefully the community will think it’s worth the wait. It’s fantastic to have Michelle and Joanne at the helm; they’re committed to giving Parson Cross a first-class friendly local that caters for everyone. We wish them every success for the future.”

The Beagle reopens on Saturday 18th July. The pub closed in April 2019.