Campaign to save sporting pub seeks help of former deputy PM

The Plough in Sandygate closed in April, and the following month Sainsbury’s announced it was seeking changing of use planning permission to use the building as a convenience store.

The pub had been listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) in July last year, when campaigners first feared it could be turned into a shop, meaning residents would have the opportunity to buy it to keep it in use should it be placed up for sale.

But as its owners, Enterprise Inns, have not listed the building for sale, instead agreeing to a 15-year lease on the building, the powers given under the ACV have not been triggered.

A landlord of the Plough founded Hallam Cricket Club in 1804, Yorkshire’s second oldest cricket club, and members of the club went on to form Hallam FC in 1860. The Plough acted as the committee rooms, changing area and function room for Hallam FC up until the mid 1960s.

Campaigners argue that if the pub goes, a valuable part of the sporting heritage of the area would be lost.

Chairman of the Save the Plough campaign group Peter Duff, said: “This is the first test of an Asset of Community Value in Sheffield and we expect the local authority to give full weight to the fact that the community has said that they do not want to lose the pub.”