The Ranmoor Inn was my local when I first moved to Sheffield in 1972. It served consistently good Whitbread Trophy at a price of thirteen and a half pence a pint, which remained stable for seemingly a long time. It had separate rooms and a delightful pub atmosphere.

Unfortunately the conversion of Whitbread’s estate in Sheffield to tank beer in 1974 helped to fuel my interest in CAMRA and put the Ranmoor out of bounds for a number of years.

There have been many changes at the Ranmoor since then, notably the reintroduction of cask beer and the removal of most of the interior walls and the expansion of what is now essentially an open-plan drinking area, but retaining a cosy atmosphere.

Nigel Williams added this pub to his Just Williams chain in June 2002, and he and his wife Vanessa took over running it in November 2003. Interestingly, Nigel remembers being a customer at the Ranmoor when he was a graduate trainee with Whitbread in 1973.

An innovation in 2006 was the opening up of the former stable yard as an outdoor drinking area, which is mostly under cover and heated, making it serviceable in most weather conditions and at most times of year. Further improvements are in the pipeline, and there is a smaller outdoor area at the front, facing one of Sheffield’s grandest Victorian churches.

The range of regular beers at the Ranmoor is a combination of well known favourites and guest beers from local breweries such as Abbeydale, Thornbridge and Bradfield. The pub is LocAle accredited, and was the location this scheme was launched in Sheffield!

Food is served at lunchtimes, except on Sundays and Mondays, between 12 and 2 p.m., but not in the evenings.

The Ranmoor has a varied clientele which may include choirs and football teams. There is a piano which is often played by an enthusiastic regular customer, and Saturday evening is becoming something of a classical music spot.