In leafy Nether Edge, a landmark building with a storied past has been undergoing a quiet revolution. Acclaimed chef Tom Lawson has set out his stall at The Psalter: a boutique hotel, bar and restaurant that’s as much about a genuine Sheffield welcome as it is about cuisine.
“This was always part of the dream,” Lawson tells Exposed. “Seven or eight years ago, when I was still at Rafters, we mapped out this vision – a restaurant with rooms, somewhere with a car park, ten-plus bedrooms. The idea was always rooted in Sheffield’s south-west or out towards the Peaks.”
That dream has now become reality. After stepping away from Rafters, Lawson was initially eyeing The Psalter as part of a joint venture. But diverging ideas on direction led to a bold decision to strike out on his own.
The building itself has undergone quite the transformation. Once a beloved pub and separate hotel – the Psalter Tavern and Rosalind Court Hotel – it had fallen into disuse before being given a fresh lease of life by investors. While the rooms and events space were developed, the kitchen remained underutilised. Lawson saw the gap immediately.
“The building didn’t have a proper food offering, which is mad considering a third of the space is restaurant. I looked at the floorplan and thought, ‘This is going to be a coffee shop, this is the bar, we’ll build a bigger kitchen.’ And we actually did all that in six weeks.”
The project was as hands-on as it gets. Lawson logged 78 consecutive days – 16 hours at a stretch – to get it ready. “We had to knock down a wall to fit in the oven I’d ordered,” he laughs. “But it’s rewarding now, seeing it all come together.”
Today, The Psalter is home to four distinct businesses under one roof: a 20-room hotel, a bar serving small plates, an events space and a fine dining restaurant – Tom Lawson at The Psalter – which launched earlier this month.
“This is the first time I’ve put my name above the door. It took a while to get comfortable with that,” he admits. “When I’ve worked elsewhere, the brand was the front – here, it’s personal. If something goes wrong, it’s on me. But I’m very much at ease with it now – you have to be.”
The fine dining menu, priced at £95, changes monthly and showcases modern British dishes built around local, seasonal ingredients. “We’re using rhubarb I grow in my garden, English asparagus, lamb from the Wortley Estate. It’s about accessibility – not just in cost, but in experience. People know the ingredients. It’s not intimidating.”
Meanwhile, the small plates menu offers a more casual but no less thoughtful option. “We’ve got dishes from a fiver to the most expensive at fourteen quid. It’s ideal for midweek drinks or a quick bite. We want to offer genuine Sheffield hospitality no matter why you’re here – a pint, a party or a tasting menu.”
The feedback so far has been glowing, particularly around the fine dining arm – a testament to a clear vision and the loyalty of his team. “Ninety-eight per cent of the current team were part of the opening team. That says it all. We’re on this journey together.”
Another of The Psalter’s big draws is where it sits – far enough out to escape the noise and bustle, but still brilliantly connected, whether you’re heading into town or off towards the Peaks. “We’re not trying to be city-centre trendy or countryside rustic,” says Lawson. “We’re somewhere in between – a proper destination, where people can settle in, eat well, and actually relax.”
As for what’s next? “My wife will kill me, but I do want more than one hotel,” he grins. “There’s more to come from us. But for now, we’re focused on making The Psalter the kind of place people celebrate at – whether it’s an special occasion dinner, a weekend away or midweek drinks after work. We’ve got it all covered.”
Visit psaltersheffield.co.uk for reservations and bookings. Follow @psaltersheffield for updates on socials.
