News: Work Christmas party ideas in Rotherham

Are you yet to book your Christmas party? The helpful elves at our sister site, Visit Rotherham have some festive inspiration!

All-inclusive gigs in a brewery
There's a phrase about organising something in brewery, and in Rotherham you can! Inside Chantry Brewery's Parkgate site is their own Tap Bar complete with stage and live music set up. December is a busy time with Christmas parties and tribute acts galore. You can also purchase all inclusive tickets which include Chantry's excellent draught beers, mixers and pizza!
Chantry Brewery website

Jingle Bell Ball

A newcomer this year is the Empire in Rotherham town centre - an iconic venue restored just in time for Christmas. Their festive season starts with a day rave on December 6 before soul singer Andy Abrahams joins a motown afternoon on December 13. A Jingle Bell Ball on December 19 ("Mad Friday") is hosted by The Flippants - A local four-piece band playing classic & modern country, rock and upbeat folk.
Empire Rotherham website

Eat, Bump, Groove
The all-inclusive party nights at Magna tick every box. You might be late to the party though (bookings opened in April!) as the popular events start on December 5 with the venue stating that there are only limited tables available for the remaining dates. Held in the Big Hall, the night includes a three course meal with all-inclusive drinks packages. A DJ plays those Christmas classics and dancefloor hits until midnight whilst brave partygoers can try the legendary dodgems and high-roller fairground rides!
Magna website

The Wharncliffe

If you are looking for somewhere central for a Christmas meal, then try The Wharncliffe. With an excellent reputation and decent prices, the restaurant is unique to Rotherham, as everything is cooked and served by students at Rotherham College, under the guidance of its hospitality tutors and experts. Christmas menus are available between December 3 and 18 with lunches served on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and Christmas dinners on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The Wharncliffe website

Jingle Bingo

In addition to Christmas parties, the AESSEAL New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United, is hosting two nights (December 5 & 19) of laughter, holiday cheer and thrilling bingo games with fantastic festive prizes up for grabs! Whether you're a seasoned player or a first-time dabbler, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season with friends, fun and a little friendly competition.
AESSEAL New York Stadium website

A competitive Christmas

Who is the best driver in your office or factory? Avago Karting on Swinton Bridge Industrial Estate is the ideal venue for your Christmas party if you want to find out! From 8 to 36 drivers, the indoor track delivers adrenaline-fuelled excitement for all skill levels. With dedicated party spaces you can enjoy drinks from the bar and a choice of pie and peas or freshly baked Italian style pizzas.
Avago Karting website

Check out Visit Rotherham's events page for all the things to do this Christmas in Rotherham.

Images: Chantry / Empire Theatre / Magna / Stephen Olmo / UnSplash / Avago karting

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News: Council continues to collaborate with Chantry to help Save The Alma

Rotherham Council says that it is committed to working with the private sector to help keep a project going that would create a live music venue in Rotherham town centre and help save a historic building.

Rothbiz revealed last month that feasibility issues have arisen with converting the former Alma Tavern into a venue.

With £4.5m of the government's Town Deal funding set aside for a music venue project, the Westgate site is the third building looked at by the authority.

The building is not a listed building (unlike The Cutler's Arms next door, saved and reopened by Chantry Brewery) but is in severe disrepair following a fire and years of abandonment. Councillors were told that an updated cost plan for the project demonstrated "a cost significantly in excess of the funding available."

The issue was recently discussed as the council's cabinet agreed to approve the reallocation of funding from the music venue project to progress plans for a community hub for health provision in the former Boots building in the town centre. The funding would cover estimated costs of £1.7m.

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Simon Moss, Assistant Director, Planning, Regeneration and Transport at Rotherham Council, explained to councillors: "We think a music venue would be beneficial but it has been problematic. We've looked at a number of buildings since the funding came forward a few years ago and there are challenges with bringing back old buildings into use.

"It has been through a few iterations and has been challenging but we still believe it is a valuable thing to push for in the town centre.

"We are looking at The Alma, which is next to The Cutler's, and there is already a music operation there - relatively small, but successful. We are planning to build some housing around that site, so dealing with that issue is something that we think is worthwhile as well, trying to work with the current operator to protect the continuation of music at that venue.

"The proposal is to downsize some of the proposals at that site. When we've worked through the design process, we don't think it is affordable, so we are looking at still keeping some funding allocated to that project but more around remediating the site, protecting what's there, but actually looking at what we can do to bring forward a music venue through other delivery means."

It is expected that support from the private sector is required if the project is to be realised. The initial ideas involved an L-shaped new building on land behind, and to the side of The Alma, creating a venue with a capacity of 500 - 600 and the main entrance in the vacant pub,

Moss added: "There are challenges that the public sector faces in delivering end-to-end regeneration solutions - we need that confidence and consideration of risk with funds. And the private sector, of course, can sometimes play a different type of role in bringing things forward."

In 2023 Rotherham Council acquired all land and properties owned by Satnam Urban Regeneration Ltd in the Sheffield Road area which included the 200 space Westgate Car Park and the two pubs.

Lorna Vertigan, head of regeneration at RiDO, said: "It's a complex building [The Alma}. It's not in a good condition and what we are trying to bring is also quite a complex build in terms of its power supply and its M&E [mechanical and electrical] requirements etc. and we were just finding that costs at each stage of development were going up and up and up and it just felt like it had come to a point really where "the public sector can't do this on their own" they need private interventions and that is something that we are going to need more and more over time. The nature of the provision also leans it more towards the private sector.

"It is really important to point out that we are still really committed to it [a live music venue] and really do want to support something. They are our buildings so if nothing else, we have got a duty to do something in there. In the next phase, we will still have money allocated to it and we are looking at what remedial works we can bring forward to help the private sector and what a private sector "acquisition / disposal / I don't know yet." might look like.

"We are certainly not turning our back on it but I think we have to draw a line at some point."

The 1907 rebuilding of The Cutler's was part of a general rebuilding in Westgate to provide a broader highway into the town to relieve traffic congestion. The Alma was rebuilt in 1909 and is noteworthy for the use of architectural lettering and the reference to Bentleys Rotherham Ales on the facade.

Chantry Brewery was established in Parkgate in 2012 and reopened The Cutler's in 2014 following a restoration, inside and out. Live music has been a constant at the venue with a temporary outdoor marquee almost always at the rear.

Vertigan described Chantry as "a great asset to the town centre" and added: "We have worked really closely with Chantry Brewery over this last six months to a year or so and I think that one of the primary drivers is, I think, to make sure that they are sustainable in the long term.

"It is a successful and very popular venue so we are thinking of them more as the operator. The original plans that we looked at for The Alma surrounded the back and incorporated both properties. We are still talking to them about what they might like to do.

"I know it is a bit of a dream for them to have The Alma as well and we still want to really help support them."

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Google Maps / RMBC

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News: Council set to change track over live music venue

A regeneration project based around creating a live music venue in Rotherham town centre highlights the difficulties working with heritage buildings and public sector funding.

Support from the private sector is required if the project is to be realised.

Rothbiz reported in 2021 that the plan for the Guest & Chrimes site was to use £4.5m of the government's Town Deal funding to create a micro-brewery and fan zone at the former foundry which sits alongside Rotherham United's New York Stadium and further updates confirmed that a large music venue was in the plans.

However, later in 2022, the council confirmed that it was not able to reach an agreement with the football club and attention switched to another potential building and creating a live music venue in the former Empire Theatre on Ship Hill. In 2024 feasibility concerns with the Empire were such that attention moved to the another building, the remains of the Alma Tavern, a building now in council ownership.

But now it appears that similar feasibility issues have arisen with the Alma which is not a listed building (unlike the saved and re-opened Cutler's Arms next door) but is in severe disrepair following a fire and years of abandonment.

A council report confirms that £4.5m is not enough to bring the building back to life as a venue within the timeframe of the funding. It states: "Stage 2 designs have now been completed and the updated cost plan demonstrates a cost significantly in excess of the funding available. Therefore, while there are benefits of supporting music provision in the Town Centre, the costs of the project are proving prohibitive to the public sector.

"It is therefore proposed to seek private sector support for the project and the methodology for this is currently in review."

Government pathfinder funding is set to be moved away from the live music venue project to the health hub project reported by Rothbiz earlier this week.

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Plans for the Alma redevelopment were submitted to the council's planning department as part of pre-application discussions. The early plans explain that Chantry Brewery, the operators of the Cutlers and a music venue within its brewery at Parkgate, are the intended occupiers of a live music venue at the Alma.

Plans so far have looked at creating a music venue with a capacity of 500 - 600. Keeping the Alma's ornate facade and using it as an entrance and making use of the adjacent land, currently an MOT garage, were also assessed.

The preferred option in the sketchbook involves an L-shaped new building on land behind, and to the side of the Alma, creating a main entrance in the vacant pub, with the stage at the rear and the front of house (including bar and courtyard), back of house and a main standing area in between. Plans show seating and standing areas on the upper floor overlooking the stage, along with another bar and dressing rooms. External amenity space is shown at the back of the building.

In the time since the public sector looked at the historic buildings, redevelopment plans have been brought forward by the private sector.

At the Guest & Chrimes, a company connected to the owners of the football club has submitted a planning application to transform the historic former foundry into a high quality hotel.

At The Empire, renovation work is underway with possible uses including a multi-purpose community arts venue.

Alongside this, Rotherham Council set aside regeneration funding to undertake market testing and an options appraisal for the provision of a performing arts venue in Rotherham town centre as the current Civic Theatre building has challenges in terms of capacity, opportunity for growth and its general condition.

Images: RMBC / AHR

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News: Plans approved for new Rotherham brewery bar

An expanding brewery in Rotherham has secured planning permission to use part of its premises as a bar for its award-winning ales.

Chantry Brewery opened in Parkgate in 2012 after twelve months of hard work, substantial investment and dedication from steelworker brothers Mick and Kevin Warburton, and friend, Sean Page, a bank manager.

With beers such as New York Pale, Iron & Steel Bitter, Diamond Black Stout and Mighty Millers, the brewery has gone from strength to strength since opening, doubling its capacity due to popular demand to 80 barrels in 2016 and taking on a number of local pubs.

The new brewery bar at Callum Court will join The New York Tavern, Cutler's Arms and The Chantry Inn. In its tenth year, the brewery is also expanding with three new tanks - each tank holds 12,670 pints!

Approved plans for Chantry's unit 2 show a mezzanine level with a bar and an area for customer seating, plus a performance / stage area on the ground floor.

An updated alcohol licence has also been requested.

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The plans come with a number of conditions after the brewery explained how a number of local beermakers have small bars within their industrial estate units.

Conditions include the taproom only being used for visiting members of the public arriving with no prior appointment on Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 1700-2300.

Customers will only be able to attend by prior appointment in association with brewery tours on Saturdays between 12.00 and 23.00. Rotherham Council planners say that this is to "clarify the permission as this would not potentially be a suitable location for an unrestricted pub and to reduce the potential for conflict between other users of the surrounding business/industrial estate."

Visits outside of the set hours are limited to a maximum of 28 days out of any 12 month period.

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Chantry Brewery / Facebook

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News: Brewery tax break threat

Local MP John Healey has urged the Government not to scrap a tax break for small breweries that he brought in.

He recently visited Chantry Brewery in Parkgate, Rotherham who have warned they may be forced to close if plans go ahead to make smaller breweries pay more tax.

The Wentworth & Dearne MP brought in the small breweries relief (SBR) in 2002 when he was Economic Secretary to the Treasury.

John said: “The Government is bowing to big breweries with these changes. They’re giving money to big business by taking it away from small independents.

“Small breweries tax relief has been the single biggest support for new local breweries and we’ve seen huge innovation and growth since Labour introduced it almost 20 years ago.

“The Government needs to scrap cuts to SBR and support our small brewers.”

Mick Warburton, one of the owners of Chantry Brewery, added: “The SBR has enabled the three of us – two ex-steelworkers and one redundant banker – to invest and grow our brewery and create 20 new jobs, employing some people who were made redundant at the steelworks.

“It has enabled us to compete with global producers which dominate the marketplace and also give the consumer a choice.

“If the SBR is cut, as proposed, we will have to stop further planned investment and cut jobs. It may ultimately mean the closure of the brewery. We cannot compete with the global buying power of the major breweries.”

At the time the relief was brought in, John said it would “help the smallest breweries invest in their business and grow … [and] provide greater choice for beer drinkers.” He also wanted to help small companies compete with the big global brewers.

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Currently brewers that produce up to 5,000 hectolitres (hl) a year – around 900,000 pints – get a 50 per cent reduction in the duty they pay. Above this there’s a sliding scale, up to the big global brewers who pay 100 per cent.

But the Government announced in July that they want to cut the threshold 50 per cent duty starts at to 2,100hl.

The consultation has been delayed leaving small businesses already hit by the coronavirus pandemic fearing for their future. Small breweries have seen their sales fall by 82 per cent during lockdown and have not received the same Government support as others in the hospitality sector.

The Society of Independent Brewers say small breweries employ 6,000 people and contribute £270m to GDP each year. Their petition against the changes has attracted nearly 50,000 signatures.

John has written to the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Kemi Badenoch MP, calling for the Government to abandon plans to lower the threshold for the relief.

Images: Chantry Brewery

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News: Chantry says cheers to its supping supporters

With pubs closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Rotherham's award-winning Chantry Brewery had to decide what to do with over 45,000 pints that it had ready to be rolled out at its Parkgate base. Local supporters ensured that it wouldn't go to waste.

Chantry Brewery began producing quality real ale in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology. Award-winning ales include New York Pale, Iron & Steel Bitter, Diamond Black Stout and Mighty Millers. It also runs three pubs - the New York Tavern and Cutler's Arms in Rotherham and the Chantry Inn in Sheffield.

Prompted by the situation, the brewery has looked again at its business and brought forward plans for an online shop. Its bottles and mini kegs have been available to buy for some time but the coronavirus lockdown has seen the introduction of a "one hop shop" and a local delivery service.

The brewery said in a Facebook post: "Over 45,000 pints we had in the brewery that we had to make a decision what to do with. Being proper Rotherham folk, it wasn't in us to waste a drop so we did everything we could to bottle and mini keg it all. 45,000 pints!

"You've done us proud, saved all that ale from the drain and kept us all in jobs."

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The success of the service has seen the resumption of brewing.

The brewery added: "We haven't really took a breather to see how far we've come in such a short space of time.. Our online shop was already an idea we were implementing so covid19 just gave us the nudge we needed. We didn't realise just how much it would take off and we've been amazed to see the adaptation! We don't really tend to reflect on what we do, we just do what we have to - whatever that may be. Suppose it's that Yorkshire grit?

"And we'll never blow our own trumpets that much because it's you lot that need it. Without you none of this would be possible. Supporting your local brewery, your local independent business, YOU are the difference. And you lot are just bloody FANTASTIC!"

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Chantry Brewery

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News: Rotherham pub joins in with chorus to save our venues

A popular Rotherham pub and live music venue is trying to remain positive but is warning that it faces closure due to the implications caused by Coronavirus.

The Cutler's Arms, one of Rotherham town centre's historic pubs, has joined a national campaign to prevent the closure of hundreds of independent music venues.

The venue is operated by Rotherham's own award-winning Chantry Brewery and is popular with real ale fans and fans of live music.

The pub has been open for five years and survived a fire last year that staff said could have destroyed the Grade 2 listed building. It will be exempt from paying business rates in 2020/21 but is now also joining a national initiative launched by Music Venue Trust in response to the continued economic threat to over 500 Grassroots music venues throughout the UK.

The charity trust has already raised over £182,000 thanks to significant donations from Amazon Music, SJM, a number of high-profile artists and music fans throughout the UK. It has now re-named its fund to the #saveourvenues fund and will form part of a wider initiative that will see artists raising money for individual venues with whom they have a personal connection.

Music fans are encouraged to show their support by engaging with the #saveourvenues shows and donating to their local venue's crowd funding pages but can also choose to donate directly to the main #saveourvenues fund via the campaign website.

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Mark Davyd, CEO, Music Venue Trust, said: "We have received some magnificent support so far from music companies, but we need a lot more to step up and help save this essential part of the music eco-system. We cannot stress enough how critical it is that the music industry supports the #saveourvenues campaign as without them over 500 of the UK’s Grassroots Music Venues could go out of business, never to return, in the coming months."

The Cutler's Arms said on its fundraising page: "Our venue faces closure due to the implications caused by coronavirus. We still face ongoing bills and we've promised all of our staff 100% pay for as long as we can, this will all help us to ensure we can survive this hardship and keep all our staff in jobs. We are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that we come back with a bang whenever that may be. We're trying to remain positive and hope that with all your support we can make the comeback we dream of.

"Your donations will be used to ensure that the Cutlers' will be back bigger and better than ever! We can't wait to see our Cutlers' family again..

"If we hit our target [£15,000], and we can prevent the closure of our venue, everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund to protect other venues just like ours, right across the country.

The Cutler's Arms crowdfunder page is here.

Music venues trust website

Images: Cutler's Arms / Facebook

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News: New beer developed for Wentworth Woodhouse

Visitors to Wentworth Woodhouse in Rotherham will soon be able to treat themselves to a tasty tipple after the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust teamed up with local brewers, Chantry Brewery to create a brand new beer, named in honour of the iconic stately home.

With numerous tours to explore, as well as the prospect of climbing 135 steps to soak up the panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and inspect the current roof repairs, anyone could be forgiven for thinking that a visit to Wentworth Woodhouse can be thirsty work and following a chance encounter, Chantry Brewery has developed a brand new beer, to tantalise the tastebuds of visitors.

The new brew, which has been named Palladian Pale, is a 3.9% golden ale, which has been carefully developed to reflect different aspects of the historic stately home. Featuring plenty of character and a crisp floral taste, even the hops featured in the beer were chosen because of their connections to the Wentworth Woodhouse story.

The mouth wateringly smooth and refreshingly light pale ale will be sold exclusively by the Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust and will be available with the stately home’s recently opened gift shop, with every penny generated from sales go directly towards funding restoration projects within the Grade I listed building.

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Following a competition organised by the trust to design an eye-catching label on it’s social media channels, the winning design was created by Wickersley-based graphic designer Richard Calise, who was encouraged to enter the competition by his wife.

Set to go on sale in August, Palladian Pale will be sold exclusively at Wentworth Woodhouse, with proceeds from the beer contributing to the essential renovation works currently underway.

Palladian Pale was developed by Mick Warburton, co-director at Chantry Brewery following a chance discussion with a member of staff, during a visit to Wentworth Woodhouse and will be brewed from Chantry’s Parkgate-based headquarters, which once formed part of the Fitzwilliam Estate.

Mick Warburton, Co-Director, Chantry Brewery said: “During a visit Wentworth Woodhouse, I sparked up a conversation with one of their fantastic tour guides. He arranged an introduction with the trust and the team came down to the brewery to help us develop a beer which they felt reflected Wentworth Woodhouse.

“The beer we’ve created features Cascade hops, which were chosen to reflect the famous performance by Russian ballerina Ana Pavlova who performed for King George V in Wentworth Woodhouse. We chose it because the hop was first developed using English and Russian seed varieties, whilst the floral flavours reflect the impressive gardens surrounding the house.

“We’re all really excited to be working alongside the Wentworth Woodhouse team on the new beer. Being given the opportunity to create something new for such an important local landmark is something that I and everyone here at Chantry Brewery are immensely proud to have produced and if it  proves to popular we’re hopeful that it will be the first of a number of different beer varieties produced for the Trust”.

Richard Calise, winner of the competition said: “I’ve always been passionate about design and after my wife spotted the competition on social media, she encouraged me to submit an entry, I felt as if it was a bit of win-win for me and combined three loves in my life: local history, graphic design and of course not forgetting quality beer.

“I wanted to create a design which not only encapsulated the spirit of the stately home, but also reflected the long history of Wentworth Woodhouse. After spending of bit time trialling a few ideas I came with one which I liked and decided to enter it into the competition. One of the best things about graphic design is seeing how people respond to your work, and I feel very honoured that my design was chosen for the new beer.”

Jen Wicks, Visitor Operations Manager, Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust said:

“Since work by the trust began, where possible we have always collaborated with local businesses and after meeting Mick and the Chantry team, we felt a specially produced beer would be a great addition to our gift shop and café. We met the team at the brewery, tried a few of their different beer types and as a result Mick was able to develop a beer which reflected exactly what we were looking for: A refreshing drink with plenty of character.

“We chose the name Palladian Pale, in homage to the 185m palladian-style façade, the largest of its kind in England, and to put that into perspective, if the beer bottles were lined up, it would need more than 2300 to reach the other end!

“That left just one problem to overcome, the beer label design. We decided to run a competition via our social media channels to try and find a worthy winner. Richard’s simple and elegant design proved to be a worthy winner.”

Chantry Brewery website
Wentworth Woodhouse website

Images: Chantry Brewery

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News: Rotherham pub to reopen after fire

The Cutler's Arms, one of Rotherham town centre's historic pubs, is planning to reopen this Friday after suffering a fire that staff say could have destroyed the building.

The Grade 2 listed buildings on Westgate is one of the few surviving Edwardian buildings in the town centre. There was a previous Cutler's Arms on the site before the current building, the first appearing in a directory of 1825.

Operated by Rotherham's own award-winning Chantry Brewery, the Cutler's has been open for five years and is popular with real ale fans and fans of live music.

A small fire in the cellar meant that the venue had to close over last weekend but staff have worked tirelessly to get the pub back open for this weekend.

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A post on the pub's Facebook page reads: "Five years since we opened and the unimaginable happened... We had a small fire that caused considerable damage BUT fate was on our side, we could have lost the Cutlers forever if the cellar wasn't over a 100 years old, there wasn't any timber for the fire to spread up, it was caught early and luckily the fire had burnt a water pipe so it acted like a sprinkler... Frank our resident Cutlers ghost was definitely helping us out!

"But now we need YOU more than ever, to support us, all the fantastic bands, our staff and Rotherhams only brewery to recover from this devastation. We have slogged and grafted to re-open as soon as possible, we've rinsed, washed, scrubbed, mopped and thrown so much away but we're still here, still positive and we still have that Cutlers fire in our belly that us Yorkshire folk have."

The 1907 rebuilding was part of a general rebuilding in Westgate to provide a broader highway into the town to relieve traffic congestion. The Cutler's sits alongside the derelict Alma Tavern which remains unused having suffered fire damage over the years.

Good news for the Cutler's came in the form of a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor which honours hospitality businesses that deliver consistently great service across the world.

In addition, the Rotherham venue made it in to the final 30 in Welcome to Yorkshire's search for Yorkshire's Favourite Pub 2019.

Cutler's Arms website

Images: Cutler's Arms / Facebook

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News: There's something brewing in Rawmarsh

The thirst for new craft beer venues in Rotherham shows no sign of settling down with a new micro pub set to open soon in Rawmarsh.

Rothbiz has reported recently on plans for new, smaller, sites that specialise in craft beers in Parkgate and Wickersley. The Wath Tap opened in a former butcher's in 2016 and the most recent opening is at Stag with The Dragon's Tap already proving popular.

Now a new pub is close to opening on Stocks Lane where the owners are hoping to revive the Rawmarsh "circuit."

Having had a taste of business with their mobile prosecco bar becoming a fixture at events and weddings, the family friends, Helen and Phil Hickling and Samantha and Lee Scothern, have poured their resources into fitting out a unit within a former office block.

Helen said: "We've got "Something Sparkling" with the mobile bar in our 1972 vintage caravan and now we are branching out with "Something BREW INN" in Rawmarsh."

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With a capacity of 60, the new bar is currently being fitted out around remnants of the old congregational chapel. It sits alongide a barber's and salon and is across from where work has just started on 60 new homes at Bellows Road.

Samantha, said: "We want to bring life back into the circuit. People in Rawmarsh know the circuit and we've had lots of positive feedback about our plans. There's nowhere like it.

"We'll be offering real ale and gins, with teas and coffee through the day. There'll be no loud music but we want to get a piano in and offer events such as beer tasting. We want to bring the public back into pubs."

Britain has lost 28,000 pubs since the 1970s, according to the CAMRA's latest Good Beer Guide. On the other hand, figures from the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) show that craft beer sales increased 1.7% in 2017, more than double the 0.7% growth reported by the wider beer market.

Smaller breweries, like Rotherham's own Chantry Brewery, are being taken up as alternatives to the dominant big breweries and now account for 6.5% of total UK beer sales. Chantry has already been tapped up by Something BREW INN and the Dragon's Tap.

Something BREW INN Facebook page

Images: Tom Austen

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News: Boardwalk back at real ale festival

Support from sponsors is set to ensure a sensational seaside spectacular at the Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival 2015.

Attracting over 12,000 people last year, the festival has a new summer date - June 11 - 13, and so Baa'sil, the festival's official mascot will be donning his swimming trunks and armbands to present "Baa-Watch" that will bring together more than 250 different real ales from England's coastal counties as well as showcasing some of the best brews from the four corners of Yorkshire.

Held at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, the festival will also host more than 40 live music performances, bringing together some of the region's best known and up-and-coming acts across three stages.

The Boardwalk, South Yorkshire's legendary music venue, is making a return to the festival thanks to sponsorship for the area from Parkgate-based Chantry Brewery. Inside the beer festival's interpretation of the Boardwalk will host a range of live music performances ranging from Jazz and blues to good old fashioned rock 'n' roll.

Chantry Brewery began producing quality real ale in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology installed at its Parkgate facility.

The Boardwalk stage is one of three areas inside the festival hosting live music and proceeds from the festival will be used to support four local charities: Bluebell Wood Children's Hospital, Magna Educational Trust, The Rotherham Hospice and Weston Park Cancer Hospital.

Festival organiser Steve Burns said: "For a generation in South Yorkshire, the Boardwalk was the place they experienced live music and following both the popularity of the area last year and the support we have received from Chantry Brewery, we decided to revive the venue for three days.

"Live music has always been an important aspect of the festival and we felt by reviving the venue it was a great way of paying homage to the original boardwalk, and hopefully re-creating that unique atmosphere where many bands took their first steps towards stardom.

"Inside our version of the Boardwalk, there will be a bar and a live music stage hosting the most anticipated up and coming artists from around the UK, with many performers returning to the festival this year after being successful with the visitors last year."

Rotherham insolvency and business turnaround consultancy Moorhead Savage will be one of the main sponsors at the festival.

Paul Moorhead, director at Moorhead Savage, said: "We have been involved in the Rotherham Real Ale Festival for several years now and are happy to be supporting it again in 2015.

"As well as holding our own networking event on the Thursday evening we will be manning the West Country bar throughout the weekend so please do come along, say hello and have a pint with us!"

Rotherham Real Ale and Music festival website
Chantry Brewery website
Moorhead Savage website

Images: Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival

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News: Chantry's toast to Beatson Clark

Rotherham's Chantry Brewery has named a new beer in honour of glass bottle manufacturer Beatson Clark, one of the oldest businesses in the town.

The Greasborough Road firm, which has been making glass bottles and jars in Rotherham since 1751, specialises in providing glass packaging solutions for niche brands in the food, drink and pharmaceutical markets worldwide.

Chantry Brewery began producing quality real ale in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology installed at its Parkgate facility. It has recently launched Teaser, a 4.5% pale ale brewed with Bravo USA hops.

Tim Swetnam, technical and environmental manager at Beatson Clark (pictured at the Cutler's Arms in Rotherham), noticed that the names of the beers focused on Rotherham's steel heritage, with brews called Women of Steel, Kaldo and 18 Eight – a grade of stainless steel. The idea for Chantry Brewery came about when Mick and Kevin Warburton, who worked in the steel industry for many years, and their friend Sean Page saw an opportunity to bring brewing to their home town of Rotherham.

"I suggested to Sean Page from Chantry that he brew a glass-themed beer for Beatson Clark," said Tim.

"We discussed what style of beer I like and what I thought it should be called. I suggested Teaser, which has a double meaning: the beer teases the palate but a teaser is also the original name given to the furnace man in the glassworks centuries ago.

"Three weeks ago they told us they were brewing the new beer and invited us to go to the brewery and take a look."

Beatson Clark furnace operator Max Elliott features on the pump clip for the beer, which is being sold in Chantry Brewery’s three pubs in South Yorkshire.

"The beer is delicious, a stronger than average hoppy pale ale, and we're very proud of the association with this fantastic local brewery," said Tim.

Mick Warburton, co-owner at Chantry Brewery added: "Everyone in Rotherham is proud of Beatson Clark with its 250-year history. Tim is fan of our beer and when he asked if we could name one after Beatson Clark we were more than happy to oblige.

"We thought it fitting that Tim named it and brewed it to his taste – a nice hoppy session beer to quench the thirst of a glass maker, but with a bit more bite!

"The beer has proved very popular in the area. It's being sold in over 30 local pubs and more than 4,000 pints of it have been drunk already."

Beatson Clark has close associations with the brewing industry and manufactures beer bottles for several breweries, including Meantime, Robinsons and Brooklyn Brewery in New York.

Beatson Clark website
Chantry Brewery website

Images: Beatson Clark

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News: Beer festival back on at New York Stadium

The rearranged fixture of the New York Beer Festival takes place this weekend at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, the home of Rotherham United.

Organised and run by the Rotherham branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the third running of the event was postponed when the Championship club secured another prestigious international fixture in November, but it is back "bigger and better."

The "Home," "Away" and "Championship" bars will feature 70 different real ales from Yorkshire and Derbyshire, all delivered by hand-pulls, as well as bottled beers, cider and perry, and wine from around the world. All of the winning ales from The Rotherham CAMRA Yorkshire Championship held at the Magna Real Ale Festival in 2014 will be available.

Rotherham's three breweries - Chantry, Harthill Village and Wentworth - will be represented. Indeed, Chantry used the first event in 2012 to officially launch its first beers.

Live music is also on the bill with acts performing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Steve Burns, chairman of Rotherham CAMRA and festival organiser described the festival as a "fantastic celebration of real ale, now established as a don't miss event on Rotherham's vibrant social scene."

Everyone working at the festival is an unpaid CAMRA volunteer and Rotherham Cancer Care Centre will be present throughout the festival raising money for its worthy cause.

Steve added his thanks to the festival sponsors including main sponsors Wilford Smith Solicitors and other local firms.

Rotherham insolvency experts Moorhead Savage is giving its support by sponsoring the programme. Paul Moorhead, managing director at the award-winning firm, said: "I am delighted to once again have this opportunity to be involved in such a great event. We are a Rotherham company and we are always keen to promote Rotherham's successes and be a part of them.

"It's a pleasure to be able to join main sponsors Wilford Smith Solicitors and give our backing to such a successful event."

Tickets to the event cost £5.

Rotherham CAMRA website

Images: Rotherham CAMRA

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News: Chantry Brewery pulls into Doncaster

Directors of Rotherham's Chantry Brewery are building on the success of their real ale pubs in their home town and opening up a new venue in Doncaster.

Chantry Brewery began producing quality real ale in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology installed at its Parkgate facility.

Last year steelworker brothers Mick and Kevin Warburton, both co-directors of Chantry Brewery, along with close friend and one of the founder members of Rotherham's CAMRA branch Paul Vernon, took the opportunity when the Prince of Wales Feathers on Westgate came up for auction and transformed it into the New York Tavern.

This year, a new company was set up to take on The Cutler's Arms, one of Rotherham town centre's historic pubs that is housed inside a Grade 2 listed building on Westgate, one of the few surviving Edwardian buildings in the town centre.

Now Paul and the Chantry team have taken just two weeks to transform the empty former Garage bar on Silver Street in Doncaster from being a derelict site into their new real ale haven.

Opening this week, the Flying Scotsman Tap pays homage to arguably the most famous locomotive in the world that was built in Doncaster, and also Paul's forty years driving trains on the region's rail network.

Following the formula in the Rotherham venues, the Flying Scotsman Tap will feature nine hand pumps on its bar, which will stock the full range of Chantry brewed beers, a changing selection of guest ales as well as ciders and Belgian lagers. Each weekend, the venue will host a varied selection of live music.

Mick Warburton, director at Chantry Brewery (pictured, left), said: "The opening of The Flying Scotsman Tap is a significant step in the growth and evolution of the brewery. Since completing the purchase of the building two weeks ago, we've pulled out all the stops to ensure that our new pub opens on time.

"We've come a long way since we first opened the doors of the brewery in 2011 and the opening of the Flying Scotsman Tap will be the third venue we have opened in less than twelve months. We've noticed that sales and demand for our beers in Doncaster have been consistently high and by opening the venue, we can guarantee that our beers will be more widely available.

"It really surprised us to learn that despite the close connections between Doncaster and the railway industry there wasn't a pub named after the Flying Scotsman in the town, so decided that it was time to put that right."

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Chantry Brewery

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News: Rotherham pub is welcomed with open arms

The Cutler's Arms, one of Rotherham town centre's historic pubs, has been given a new lease of life, thanks to the directors of Rotherham's Chantry Brewery.

Chantry Brewery opened in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology installed at its Parkgate facility. The first beers were officially launched at the New York Beer Festival at Rotherham United's New York Stadium and award-winning ales include New York Pale, Iron & Steel Bitter, Diamond Black Stout and Mighty Millers, brewed to celebrate the football team's promotion last season.

Directors, Sean Page and Mick Warburton, have set up a new company to take on operating a real ale pub which follows on from their acquisition of an empty pub, also on Westgate, last year which they gave a new lease of life as The New York Tavern. The pub has recently been named as the Winter pub of the season by the Rotherham branch of CAMRA.

The openings come as the latest CGA-CAMRA Pub Tracker, which covers the period of April - December 2013, shows that the number of net pub closures in the UK has risen from 26 to 28 per week.

The Grade 2 listed Cutlers Arms on Westgate is one of the few surviving Edwardian buildings in the town centre. There was a previous Cutler's Arms on the site before the current building, the first appearing in a directory of 1825. The pub was rebuilt in 1866, when it became a Stones tied house. The 1907 rebuilding was part of a general rebuilding in Westgate to provide a broader highway into the town to relieve traffic congestion.

The building, which was recently listed as an asset of community value, has been restored inside and out. The new owners have kept the very traditional public house model - with the bar serving beers, by means of hand pumps, in three rooms. Traditional furniture, in keeping with the age and traditional nature of the premises, has been sourced, and elements such as a stained glass window and etched glass windows damaged after the pub closed last year have been replaced to their original specification.

Sean Page, director of Chantry Brewery, said: "We are providing an offer that is significantly different to that currently available in the Town Centre and that would be a destination venue for real ale enthusiasts from outside Rotherham.

"The five core beers at the Cutlers will be sourced from our Chantry Brewery and will be typically be supplemented by a further five guest beers. We only use the finest ingredients available, including Yorkshire Malt to produce our range of premium beers."

Bernadette Rushton of the Council's Town Centre Retail Investment Team, added: "We, and colleagues in other departments, have been happy to advise and support Sean and his fellow directors in bringing this project forward. It is great news that Chantry Brewery have decided to reinvigorate the Cutlers Arms, not only in terms of increasing the options for the town centre's night-time economy, but also by bringing a historic empty unit back into use on Westgate; one of the main routes for visitors into the town centre retail area."

Chantry Brewery website

Images: RMBC

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News: Public art for public house

Gallery Town, the open air art gallery in Rotherham town centre has extended down Westgate and stopped off at the New York Tavern.

In 2011, Rotherham became Gallery Town when a group of local entrepreneurs got together to arrange for 60 large pieces of artwork – including work by Rotherham students, local artists and some of the world's greatest painters – to be installed in key outdoor locations around the town. The project, which is backed by the Rotherham LSP (Local Strategic Partnership) Board was started as a way to regenerate the town centre, attract more visitors and to help create more trade for local businesses.

Rotherham's own Chantry Brewery acquired an empty pub on the edge of Rotherham town centre last year and gave it a new lease of life as The New York Tavern.

The innovative art project is being refreshed with new art in prominent locations around town. The New York Tavern is now displaying "Chapel on the Bridge," a piece depicting Rotherham's famous chapel on the bridge by 18th century Swiss topographical artist, Samuel Hieronymus Grimm.

Martin Horst, director of Rainforest Graphics, the project's chosen contractor (pictured, right), said: "I immediately thought of the newly opened New York Tavern on Westgate, because of the Chantry Brewery connection. I felt it was appropriate to feature the bridge, as it is one of only two in the whole of England."

Mick Warburton, director of the Chantry Brewery (pictured, left) was more than pleased to have the piece featured on the side elevation of the New York Tavern. He said: "I was really happy for the Brewery to be involved in this wonderful project and for the piece to be displayed at the New York Tavern."

Chantry Brewery opened in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology with all equipment built by Sheffield based Moeschle UK. The first beers were officially launched at the New York Beer Festival at Rotherham United's New York Stadium and award-winning ales include New York Pale, Iron & Steel Bitter, Diamond Black Stout and Mighty Millers, brewed to celebrate the football team's promotion last season.

The success of the first official "brewery tap" has led the directors to invest in the historic Cutler's Arms, also on Westgate. The building, which was recently listed as an asset of community value, is currently being refurbished and is planning to re-open in March.

Gallery Town website
Chantry Brewery website

Images: Gallery Town

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News: New York Beer Festival returns

Rotherham insolvency expert Paul Moorhead doesn't advocate turning to drink to stave off a financial crisis but he is delighted to be a main sponsor of this year's Rotherham CAMRA New York Beer Festival.

The celebration of more than 60 real ales, many of them from Rotherham's three breweries - Chantry, Harthill Village and Wentworth – is held at Rotherham United's New York Stadium from November 14 to 16.

And Paul, the award winning managing director of Moorgate Crofts-based insolvency practice Moorhead Savage, is sponsoring the festival's programme.

Last year's festival, which also features an extensive selection of ciders and wine as well as food and live entertainment, attracted more than 3,000 visitors and saw the official launch of Chantry Brewery (pictured).

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to be involved in such a great event," said Paul, who was recently named the insolvency industry's Corporate Insolvency Practitioner of the Year.

"We are a Rotherham company and we are always keen to promote Rotherham's successes and be a part of them."

Rotherham CAMRA are marking their 20th anniversary this year and tickets to the event cost £5 and are available online -

Rotherham CAMRA website
Moorhead Savage website

Images: Chantry Brewery

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News: Chantry Brewery taps into market with new pub venture

Directors of Rotherham's Chantry Brewery have acquired a pub on the edge of Rotherham town centre and are giving it a new lease of life as The New York Tavern.

The idea had been brewing for a while and so steelworker brothers Mick and Kevin Warburton, both co-directors of Chantry Brewery, along with close friend and one of the founder members of Rotherham's CAMRA branch Paul Vernon, took the opportunity when the Prince of Wales Feathers on Westgate came up for auction.


The pub sold for £60,000 and the trio have overseen an extensive internal refurbishment of the premises, refurbishing many of the pub's original features, as well as installing a new extended "New York" style bar, that will be used to accommodate ten real ales.

The pub will serve as the official "brewery tap" for the Parkgate-based brewery as well as a range of five changing guest beers. The New York Tavern's real ale offering will be complemented by a range of approximately forty varieties of bottled beers which have been sourced from Belgium, Germany, the US and even Australia, many of which are not currently available in the borough.

Mick Warburton, co-owner of the New York Tavern (pictured top, right) said: "We wanted to create a pub that offered something truly unique, bringing together locally sourced real ales and even pub snacks produced in the borough which can be enjoyed in the environment of a traditional Rotherham pub.

"During the renovations we spent time looking into the history of the local area, and felt that changing the name of the pub reflected our own aspirations of putting Rotherham well and truly on the real ale map.

"We're all Rotherham people and keen to preserve the town's heritage, but wanted a fresh start. When we started looking into the local area, there were many parallels between the original New York Tavern and the Feathers, and also felt that there was good link with the beers that we produce at the brewery."

Across town, the original New York Tavern was built in 1856, the same year as the Prince of Wales Feathers and poured its last pint in 1970 when the building was purchased and demolished by the Rotherham Corporation to make way for Centenary Way.

Chantry Brewery opened in 2012 after significant investment in the latest brewing technology with all equipment built by Sheffield based Moeschle UK. The first beers were officially launched at the New York Beer Festival at Rotherham United's New York Stadium and award-winning ales include New York Pale, Iron & Steel Bitter, Diamond Black Stout and Mighty Millers, brewed to celebrate the football team's promotion last season.

Mick added: "The brewery is going from strength to strength and Kevin and I recognised that the pub offered a great chance to further develop the business, offering a chance to showcase all the beers that we produce, as well as bringing together a changing selection of some of the best beers available in the local area.

"There's no doubt in my mind, that if we hadn't stepped in, then the pub would have closed. It had been shut for over twelve months before we bought the premises and we didn't want it to have the same fate as so many of the other Westgate pubs."

The "new" New York Tavern is expected to open in a couple of weeks.

Chantry Brewery website

Images: Chantry Brewery

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