Historic Sheffield pub operators receive long-service award
The local pub dates back to the late 1700s and features artist Pete McKee’s first ever mural ‘The Snog’
The licensees of “one of Sheffield’s oldest and most iconic pubs” – Fagans on Broad Street – have received a “prestigious” long-service award in recognition of more than 35 years at the helm.
Sheffield born-and-bred Tom Boulding and his wife Barbara – who hails from Barnsley – took over the pub in 1985 when it was called The Barrel. The couple renamed it Fagans after its local nickname and in honour of the previous landlord – Joe Fagan – who ran the pub from 1947.
The award from the building’s owners, Star Pubs and Bars, is said to highlight the contribution the Bouldings have made to Sheffield life during their time at the pub.
The local pub dates back to the late 1700s and is believed to be the longest-licensed pub in Sheffield. One of the last traditional pubs in the city centre, Fagans is known for its Irish heritage, cask ale and Guinness as well as its live music sessions, which are open to musicians five nights a week.
Star revealed that whilst Tom and Barbara have introduced food, hand-pulled beers and two popular weekly quizzes, “little else has changed” inside the pub since its last major refurbishment in 1953.
The biggest alteration to the outside of Fagans came in 2013, when Sheffield artist Peter McKee painted his first-ever mural – The Snog – on the pub’s exterior.
Tom Boulding said: “Walking into Fagans is like stepping back in time. It’s a proper old-fashioned pub. That’s why we wanted it. We loved it just as it was when we first saw it, and we still do. The area around has transformed out of all recognition since the mid-eighties. The factories and offices have gone and we’re surrounded by new buildings, but Fagans remains the same.
“It’s fantastic to be paid for doing a job you love. Many of our customers have become great friends. Running Fagans is like having a party in our house every night; the only difference is that the guests buy their own beer.”
Star Pubs and Bars’ area manager, Anthony Lowther-Knowles, added: “It’s a great honour to present this award to Tom and Barbara. They put their hearts and souls into Fagans, and have retained all its wonderful quirkiness, friendliness and character. It’s all credit to them that Fagans is still thriving and is such a well-loved Sheffield institution.”