The
Fat Cat was built in the 1850's and was originally named The Alma.
It was first a public house then became a commercial hotel. It was
bought by the William Stones brewery (later to be taken over by the
Bass Brewing Company) in 1912.
The
pub was put up for auction by Bass in 1981 and was purchased by Sheffield
Polytechnic lecturer David Wickett and solicitor Bruce Bentley.
The
idea was to provide an alternative to pubs owned by the big brewers
which dominated the City of Sheffield. A range of beers was introduced
that were new to the area. Prominence was given to beer from small
independent brewers and a guest beer policy helped to keep a wide
range of choice. The Fat Cat became the first pub in Sheffield to
sell the beers of Marstons, Timothy Taylors and Theakstons.
Traditional
scrumpy and unusual bottled beers were also put on sale. In order
to create an atmosphere for conversation, music and electronic machines
were excluded. A no smoking room was introduced, the first in the
area. Open fires were reintroduced for winter. Home cooking was considered
essential for lunchtime with a good vegetarian choice.
In
its first year of business The Fat Cat was voted by the Sheffield
branch of the Campaign for Real Ale as its first pub of the year.
In 1992 it won the award for the second time. In 1990 The Kelham Island
Brewery was built at the back of the pub and Dave Wickett bought out
his partner, so becoming the sole owner.
Due to its success in its early years the brewery moved into new,
purpose built premises at Kelham Island, very close to the original
brewery, in March 1999. The old brewery building has been converted
to a Visitor Centre.
