Greencross Chemists Ltd has submitted a planning application to make alterations to the empty Aligarh resturant premisis in Crosspool shopping precinct.
Diagrams as part of application 17/05164/FUL appear to show a pharmacy-style green cross sign on the outside of the Sandygate Road building. A roof would be erected over the rear yard in order to use the ground floor as a cafe, with a yoga/pilates/wellbeing studio planned for the first floor. The plans also indicate the extension of the frontage to form a ‘street corner feature’.
Aligarh Indian restaurant in Crosspool (picture by Aligarh)
Crosspool’s new Indian restaurant will open on Friday.
The new restaurant, Aligarh, has taken over the old Artisan building on Sandygate Road.
Preview nights have been taking place this week and the owners are now taking bookings for Friday night onwards. You can call 0114 266 6096 to reserve your table.
Their aim is to provide quality food and great service at an affordable price.
Look out for more information and interview with on the website soon.
Work has started on doing up the former Artisan building in Crosspool
A new curry house is to open in the former Artisan restaurant on Sandygate Road.
Work is currently being undertaken on the building. We don’t know yet of the planned opening date but the work should take around 3 weeks.
Ali the owner lives in Bradford and intends to employ a manager to run his new Crosspool restaurant.
Over the years the restaurant in that location has been known as Thyme, Smith’s and most recently Artisan, which closed in January. The upstairs area was also reinvented under different themes including fish restaurant Catch and budget eatery Canteen.
Older residents may remember the building operating as an Indian restaurant before chef and entrepreneur Richard Smith took it on.
Crosspool’s Michelin Guide-recognised restaurant Artisan has closed its doors after 20 years of trading.
After being put up for sale in September, owners BrewKitchen have now decided to sell in the hope that a new team will take it on.
Artisan was previously known as Thyme and Smith’s. The upstairs area was also reinvented under different themes including fish restaurant Catch and budget eatery Canteen.
On the Artisan website Richard Smith from BrewKitchen said: “It is with regret, and mixed emotions, that after 20 years of trading we have decided to close.
“It has been a great business that has been the catalyst for real success. From the awards and accolades I achieved in the early years to the exceptional level of trading – I was full for 5 years every night at Smith’s – to the friendships with staff and customers alike that has been truly rewarding and still continue. The opportunity it gave me to progress on to some great other businesses like Thyme Cafe, the Cricket Inn and more recently Graze Inn, and my relationship with Thornbridge Brewery.
“The site is brilliant for a new ownership team. It’s in a great location with a fantastic kitchen, a brilliant feel and the potential for great trade with passion and commitment.”
The closure leaves two Italian restaurants in and around the precinct, along with Crosspool Tavern carvery, The Sportsman pub, Crosspool Fish Bar and Dynasty takeaway.
All existing Artisan bookings will be honoured at The Beauchief.
Crosspool’s Michelin Guide-endorsed restaurant Artisan has been put on the market by owners Brewkitchen.
Richard Smith, BrewKitchen chef director, said: “We have developed the BrewKitchen brand significantly during the last 12 months and feel that Artisan no longer fits the profile.
“It is, and always has been, a successful restaurant and a pleasure to run – operating it for almost 20 years with buoyant sales and continued popularity is testament to that.
“Our decision to sell comes knowing it best lends itself to being an owner-run establishment – there’s plenty for someone to get their teeth into, as I experienced when I was in the kitchen.”
BrewKitchen has expanded significantly in the last year, opening Graze Inn on Ecclesall Road and launching Jack Baker’s Brasserie at The Beauchief. The group plans on turning The Brasserie into their flagship Sheffield outlet.
Richard Smith’s Catch seafood cafe at Crosspool is closing as a separate venture and merging with Artisan downstairs. The same menu will be running on both floors, with fish a specialty.
The Sheffield Telegraph reports that Artisan was turning people away at busy times.
Earlier on today, volunteers and the Crosspool Forum committee met to put up illuminated Christmas trees above shops in the precinct.
It is the sixth year that Crosspool shops have been decorated with Christmas trees. As the photos below show, thankfully the team was blessed with fine weather compared to last year’s driving sleet!
Sheffield chef Richard Smith is taking a trip down memory lane next month with a nostalgic evening to celebrate fifteen years in Crosspool.
Before its current incarnation as Artisan, the Sandygate Road restaurant was previously Thyme and prior to that it originally opened as Smiths of Sheffield – or Smiths as it was known.
Close enough to the city centre but with easy access to the countryside – that’s how the Sheffield Telegraph has described Crosspool, Fulwood, Ranmoor and Lodge Moor in it’s latest area focus advertising feature.
Artisan and Catch restaurants, Bamforth’s fruit and vegetable shop and Craft Angels are all included in the piece, which appears highlights only the businesses that have bought an advert on the same page of the newspaper.
Crosspool News - crosspool.info 
