Assets all around

The level of proof required by the council officers is way beyond that actually required by the Localism Act. I know, as I worked with the tenant at the Carbrook Hall on Attercliffe Common to gather evidence. I was astonished by the wide range of friendship groups, local employees and residents that use his pub. They include off-duty officers from South Yorkshire Police HQ at Carbrook House, a Sheffield-based motorcycle club, ex-steelworkers who continue to drop in with their families for a meal years after their firms closed down, sports fans in to watch football or boxing, call centre workers from Santander, and people drawn by the stories of hauntings and to see the beautiful panelled interior of the 17th century Oak Room. Even some council staff from the Carbrook depot, who call in after work. C’mon get real. These are real communities using a real pub in our world today.

As other contributors to The Star have pointed out, in many other cities these pubs would have been given the minimal protection that ACV designation offers, so why is it that we haven’t?

Brian Holmshaw

Sheaf Valley Heritage, Sheffield