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Bower Road, SHEFFIELD, S10 1ER

19th Century public house and old coaching inn on situated on Commonside. Don't let the unsightly traffic lights and cones detract you too much from this pub which is one of the most atmospheric and unpretentious real ale establishments in the city. At the time of posting the current proprietors had also just celebrated their 30th anniversary at the helm.

The junction of the lower end of Commonside with Barber Road can be glimpsed in the distance. Herded animals, on their way to the former cattle market near to the former Victoria Railway Station, may well have been 'rested' in this area i.e. Common-side. (See: https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/16673-baaa/). "The Closed Shop" - a gastropub - is situated behind the photographer at the junction with Hands Lane.

It is said that the pub's unusual name came about in the late nineteenth century. Apparently, as a general grocery store, it sold ale which customers would sometimes consume while sitting on sacks. Gradually, it dawned on the owner that he could create a more profitable business if he CLOSED the SHOP and turned it into a public house.

Running repairs on Commonside! Externally the road is being resurfaced whilst internally the long-term management of the pub is in a state of flux. “The Closed Shop” - a gastropub - reopened in May 2017, after a period of being closed. This reopening proved possible because sufficient funding has been provided by the community, on a short-term tenancy basis, while a long-term lease is being negotiated with a Sheffield-based brewery. The premises began commercial life as a combined greengrocer’s and off-licence in the 1800s, before becoming a public house in the early 1900s. Commonside may have gained its title from the habit of herders ‘resting’ their animals on common land in this area whilst in the process of moving them from Stannington, Walkley and Crookes to the cattle market near the former Victoria Station in the city centre. (See: https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/16673-baaa/)

Looking across Barber Road with Commonside heading away on the right. The jewellers at the top on the corner was formerly a bank.

Looking uphill with various shops on the right hand side of the street.

Looking along the largely residential street from the Barber Road junction.

A stone's throw from the junction of Commonside and Barber Road, Walkley Lodge, and its newer and much larger wing - Moorend Place - now provide private residential accommodation for older disabled people.

This Grade II-listed building was constructed as St John’s Wesleyan Methodist Church and School in 1881 at a cost of £7000. However, when St Luke’s Wesleyan Methodist Church, Northfield Road, Crookes closed in 1965, and its congregation joined forces to share this building, it was renamed Crookes Valley Methodist Church. The ‘new’ church closed in 2003 and after standing empty for years, it was converted into private residential apartments of varying sizes and renamed Heritage Hall & Lodge. Crookes and Broomhill can be reached behind the photographer via the upper section of Crookesmoor Road. In the opposite direction Crookesmoor Road descends towards the part of Sheffield where the Royal Infirmary once stood, on Langsett Road.