For a building as iconic as The Three Tuns, sitting empty just didn’t feel right. The flat iron-shaped pub on Silver Street Head has been part of Sheffield’s landscape for decades, but in recent years it’s been more known for closing its doors than pulling pints. Hopefully, that’s all changing thanks to new owner Jim Butterell, who’s determined to bring the historic boozer back to life.
“It happened quite randomly,” Jim laughs, chatting with Exposed over a pint outside the Tuns. “We saw it was available online and I joked to my husband, ‘Shall we buy a pub?’ Next thing I know, I’ve put an enquiry in and we’re writing a 90-page business plan.”
Turns out, that plan was enough to convince the brewery to hand over the keys, and Jim and the team have been on a mission to revive the place ever since. But it’s not just about dusting off the bar and opening the doors. Jim, who’s also a commercial interior designer, has got bigger ideas – blending the pub’s history with events, music and a fresh look that nods to the past without being stuck in it.
Tucked away between Paradise Square and Broad Lane, you can’t miss the building. Its architecture instantly catches the eye of passers-by and, as such, it has even developed some of its own local lore. “Someone told me the architect who designed this also worked on the Flatiron in New York,” says Jim, with a small grin. “Don’t know how true that is, but it’s a nice story. Nothing wrong with an urban myth or two!”
It’s also a key reason Jim was drawn to the place. “It’s one of the coolest-looking pubs in Sheffield. I wanted to elevate that – so the branding’s inspired by the building, the colours are pulled from the brickwork, even the logo’s a simplified take on the old barrel sign.”
Pub renovations are always a careful balancing act, he admits, especially when the heritage runs deep. The Three Tuns dates back to the 18th century and has played its part in Sheffield’s social history. For years, it was a popular haunt for workers from the nearby financial and legal offices – so much so that staff at the HSBC building, which was made up of five blocks, apparently began referring to it as ‘Block 6’.
Locals are noticing the changes, but it’s been a gradual process. The floors have been sanded, the old wallpaper replaced with vintage red panels and there’s a mix of mid-century furniture that gives the place a warm, lived-in feel. “Loads of people were worried at first – saying, ‘Don’t change it!’ But we’re doing it bit by bit and people like being part of the journey. The biggest compliment is when people say they’ve not been in for years – then they come back and love it. That’s what it’s all about.”
“It’s still a proper pub at heart,” he adds. “But we’ve added a contemporary layer – supper clubs, DJs, pottery classes, that kind of thing. You can still come in for a casual pint but there’s always something else to get involved with if you’d like to.”
That approach is already paying off. Their first pop-up supper club, with a well-known Sheffield chef, sold out in days. Friday nights are vinyl-only, with customers bringing their own records to play, tables are often fully booked in advance for the Tuesday night quiz and the renewed energy of the place has been attracting everyone from former regulars to a new, more youthful generation of patrons.
Jim’s realistic about the challenges, especially with the current state of the pub industry. “We’ve never worked behind a bar before – I’ve designed loads of pubs but never run one,” he says. That’s where general manager Paul comes in, keeping the day-to-day ticking over while Jim focuses on the bigger picture. At the moment, this includes expanding the events calendar, getting the kitchen area fired up and making the most of the quirky space for private hires.
But at the heart of it, Jim’s goal is simple: “We just want to rescue it,” he says. “This isn’t about making money. If we break even, that’s a success. It’s more about putting The Three Tuns back on the map, giving it new life while keeping its soul intact.”
