Walkley Cottage

Visited this pub on Friday. Had fish and chips. The fish was large, with the most delicious in-house made batter, plus home-made chips. The meal was great. Served within good time of ordering and came nice and hot.

The service was friendly efficient and made me feel very welcome.

Great value for money, too.

Had a couple of drinks that are cheaper than most places I have visited.

Friendly staff.

The pub is spotless inside and out.

Am already planning my next trip.

This afternoon I visited the Walkley Cottage Inn on Bole Hill Road. I went to the bar and the man behind it saw and ignored me. I waved and smiled until he came over, and asked for water. He replied by saying 'What?' this happened 3 times until he finally went and came back demanding a pound. I told him it was illegal to charge for tap water and he reluctantly gave it to me.

I went outside and realised it was out of order, so went back and complained to another member of staff. The man came over so I explained how disappointed I was with his antisocial behaviour and managed to get an apology.

I went out again and he followed me and said I wasn't welcome at the pub and tried to take my drink. It turned out he was the boss.

I went in again and complained to someone else, not willing to be bullied, but I received no help. I mentioned she shouldn't put up with this from her boss but she just looked scared. I left.

I suggest if you want to support good, local establishments, you do not go to this pub.

Sheffield, a city known for its community spirit and tight-knit neighbourhoods, is saying goodbye to a well-loved local figure. Matthew Begley, the popular landlord of the Walkley Cottage, a well-known pub on Bole Hill Road, is stepping down after four transformative years.

Matthew, an Australian native, took over the Walkley Cottage in December 2020, amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite the challenging times, he successfully navigated the pub through the pandemic and established it as a thriving community hub. Under his leadership, the pub became a gathering place for locals, hosting events for various organisations, including a riding club and a BMX club.

His efforts to foster a sense of community didn't go unnoticed. "I've enjoyed my time at the Walkley Cottage, and I think I've done a good job here," Matthew reflected. "I've increased the takings and made friends. It's a community pub, and people have been really appreciative."

While Matthew's tenure at the Walkley Cottage was marked by growth and community engagement, it was not without its difficulties. The energy price crisis last year led to large bills that ultimately influenced his decision to leave. Despite these challenges, Matthew's impact on the pub and the local community has been significant. Regulars of the Walkley Cottage have praised him for his contributions, noting how he transformed the pub for the better.

During his time as landlord, the pub also became known for its charitable efforts, such as the popular Thursday night quiz nights, which raised money for local charities. These initiatives helped to strengthen the pub's role as a pillar of the community.

Matthew leaves the Walkley Cottage with optimism for its future. He announced that Sophie Bailey, who manages other popular Sheffield pubs such as the Closed Shop in Crookes and The Clubhouse on London Road, will be taking over as the new manager. "I think I'm leaving the pub in a good place for her," Matthew said, expressing his hope that Sophie and her team would receive a warm welcome from the Walkley community.

As he prepares for his next role with a Bakewell-based family-run pub company in North Derbyshire, Matthew looks back fondly on his time at the Walkley Cottage. "It's been a special time, but we close down for the last time on Saturday night. I will miss the customers," he shared. His departure marks the end of an era for the pub and its patrons, but also the beginning of a new chapter for both Matthew and the Walkley Cottage.

The community now looks forward to seeing how Sophie Bailey will build on the foundations laid by Matthew, continuing the legacy of this popular Sheffield pub.

The Walkley Cottage Inn has applied to erect an outside smoking shelter next to its car park. However, the pub has been told that it must install non-slip flooring in order to comply with health and safety regulations before it will be allowed to open the shelter.