TWO Bradford pubs have made it into CAMRA's new guide to hostelries with real historic significance in Yorkshire and the Humber .
The full-colour campaigning guide to the pubs which still have interiors or internal features of historical significance include The New Beehive in Westgate and the now-shut Cock & Bottle in Barkerend.
The Cock and Bottle, a Grade II listed building, has been described in the guide as a “late Victorian gem” while The New Beehive has been helped by a remodelling. The pub originates from 1901, but was refurbished in 1936 by William Whitaker & Co, one of Bradford’s leading brewers of the time.
William Wagstaff, who has owned The New Beehive for 25 years, said walking into his pub was like walking through a time-warp.
He said: "I've spent huge sums of money to bring it back to its former splendour, there have been no modern improvements. We still have the gas lighting and fitted seating. It was built in a grand style and my task is to be the guardian of it so hopefully it can be preserved for the future.
"But of course that will only happen if people keep using pubs like this."
The revised edition of the pub guide builds on the success of the sell-out first edition published in 2011 and is the only publication of its kind to cover the Yorkshire region.
Not only does it aim to celebrate the heritage pubs that are open and trading but it also highlights the sad reality of how few are left and the threats they face, said its Editor Dave Gamston.
The guide also highlights a planning ‘loophole’ that allows many pubs to be turned into supermarkets or converted for other retail or office use without the need of planning permission, added Mr Gamston.
"In telling the story of important pubs we have recently lost, Yorkshire’s Real Heritage Pubs reflects on other major failings in our planning and heritage protection systems. We believe it will have wide appeal as an enjoyable and informative guidebook for locals and visitors to Yorkshire. At the same time we hope it will provide a serious working reference – and wake up call! – for the people and official bodies who control the destinies of Yorkshire’s pubs”
The new guide will be officially launched by Greg Mulholland MP, Leeds North West and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Save the Pub Group.
Yorkshire's Real Heritage Pubs costs £4.99 and features 119 pubs in all, giving informative text to highlight their significance. It can be bought either directly from CAMRA on 01727 867201, in all good bookshops and some of the featured pubs.
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