A PROMINENT former Bradford city centre pub is set to re-open in March after a £500,000 refurbishment.

The Old Bank, in Market Street, closed its doors in 2009, but is now set for a new lease of life thanks to 69 Market Street Ltd, the company which also runs the City Vaults, the Ginger Goose, and the Lord Clyde.

The company has been supported by Bradford Council's City Centre Growth Zone.

The district's Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) group said it was "great news" the pub was making a return.

Project manager Lisa Mahoney said the company had been trying to take over the site for around two years.

"It's been a long waiting game, but thanks to the regeneration fund from the council, we now hold the lease for the building," she said.

"Exact plans are still up in the air as we've only just started the refurbishment, but the conditions inside are a lot better than we thought.

"It will still need a lot of work as there is damp and a few burst pipes, but we're in there now and stripping it down to a shell.

"We hope to open in March."

The company are yet to decide on a name for the new alehouse, but Miss Mahoney said the pub would be focused on serving cask and real ales, and craft and European beers.

"We want it to look traditional, a real homely, proper pub," she said.

"Somewhere you can go with friends to have a chat, some food, and a nice drink.

"There's definitely an opening in the market for this type of pub in Bradford.

"There is currently a revival in the city centre and North Parade, and it will only get busier when Westfield opens.

"We want to provide something in the city centre that will help bring people in, and with the restaurants in the Exchange at the other end of Market Street, that will help attract people too.

"Stuff is popping up now, and once everything is done, it will be really nice.

"Bradford needs a push, but I think that's happening now."

Miss Mahoney said the project, which is set to create a host of new positions to staff the pub, "wouldn't have been possible," without the council's backing.

Bradford Council Leader, Councillor David Green, said: "I am pleased the City Centre Growth Zone has been able to support this redevelopment.

"It will bring jobs to the city, and contribute to the continuing economic regeneration of Bradford."

David Boothroyd, chairman of Bradford CAMRA, said the pub would help "add a bit of life" to the city centre.

"Any venue opening up again as a pub is great news, and I applaud the enterprise and hard work of the people who think the project is worthwhile," he said.

"It's also pleasing from a CAMRA point of view that real ale is considered to be important.

"What with the new pubco rules, things are on the up again for Bradford's pubs."