Campaigning for Real Ale, Pubs and Drinkers' rights since 1971

SHEFFIELD & DISTRICT BRANCH

Kelham Island

The leading article in the October 1981 issue of Beer Matters began “On Friday 21^st August Sheffield acquired what it has deserved for a long time – a real ale free house. Despite the wealth of real ale and gradually increasing choice in the city, the opening of the Fat Cat is a reminder of what we have been missing since the mid-seventies when, thanks largely to CAMRA activities, free houses with a range of real ales started to spring up all over the country.”

The building at 23 Alma Street had opened as the Alma in the 1850’s and had traded as a Stones’ pub since 1912, but was put up for auction by owners Bass early in 1981. Bought by current owner Dave Wickett and his then business partner, the transformation was rapid to enable the August opening. The two small rooms are either side of a corridor drinking area, and are complemented by an upstairs function room, available for overspill drinking when not booked, and an extensive beer garden.

What was then an innovative beer range included Marston’s Pedigree and Owd Rodger, Taylors Landlord, Theakstons Old Peculier and West Riding Bitter, together with an ever changing range of guest beers. In 1990 Dave Wickett, by then sole owner of the pub, opened the Kelham Island Brewery, Sheffield ’s first new brewery for nearly a century, in a corner of the beer garden. The brewery’s success resulted in a move to larger premises built in the adjacent car park in 1999, and the former brewhouse is now the Brewery Visitor Centre, and is used for the Fat Cat’s regular beer festivals, one always on the weekend nearest the anniversary of the pubs opening. The pubs regular beers are now Taylors Landlord, Kelham Island Best Bitter and Pale Rider, together with seasonal and special brews from Kelham, and large range of changing guests, with over 5000 featuring since opening. Real cider is usually available together with a selection of continental bottled beers.

Duncan, the manager for the last 2½ years is assisted by a loyal team including Diane who has been at the pub since it opened, Stephen who was previously manager for over 20 years, and Alison who has run the kitchen for 28 years. The Fat Cat pioneered the concept of a pub ‘no smoking’ room and has always catered for vegetarians and vegans, as well as providing an atmosphere free of intrusive music, TV and gaming machines. Now in its 30^th year as a free house the Fat Cat lives up to its motto “Still ferociously independent.”

Alan Gibbons