A Bradford University lecturer has delved deep into the story behind a national institution - the English pub.

In new book The Local - A History of the English Pub, published today, Paul Jennings examines how the humble alehouse evolved from coaching inn through to back-street beer house and gin palace - to 21st century theme bar.

Mr Jennings said: "This book is the product of over 20 years researching the history of the pub.

"The greater part of that work has inevitably been in libraries and archives, but it has also been informed by my observations working in a pub for some years in the Lake District and helping out in an Irish bar on New York's 8th Avenue."

The book follows on from Mr Jenning's 2004 release, Bradford Pubs, which looked at some of the institutions which served the city during its drinking hey-day.

Mr Jennings, who has written, lectured and broadcast on pubs and drinking for more than 20 years, said his love of pubs had stemmed from the important role they had played in the nation's social history.

His latest work makes reference to many well-known Bradford hostelries past and present, including The Sun in Sunbridge Road which is still trading, and the Empress Hotel, the Spinkwell Tavern, the Commercial Hotel, and the Rock Inn in George Street, all of which no longer exist.

Mr Jennings also still harbours fond memories of Keighley's Albert Hotel - which also features in the book - and the Empress Hotel, which stood in Tyrl Street. Demolished in the 1970s, the legendary Empress featured large, open rooms in contrast to most Bradford pubs of days gone by, which were usually characterised by their small size.

"Bradford is different because, unlike other places, it never had any of the great gin palaces," said Mr Jennings. "The majority of pubs in Bradford have always been quite small."

Pub numbers peaked in the city in 1869 when there were nearly 600 - one for every 240 people. Things are very different today.

"The traditional pub in Bradford is pretty much dead," said Mr Jennings.

"Like lots of other cities, Bradford has seen traditional pubs disappear as working class areas have been demolished.

"Areas such as the bottom of Leeds and Manchester Road - once full of terraced housing and pubs - are no longer there."

However, he said pubs such as the Cock and Bottle in Barkerend Road, which first opened in the 1820s, and the New Beehive in Westgate, which began trading in 1901, were still flying the flag for tradition.

William Wagstaff, licensee of the New Beehive, said the city's pub scene was experiencing a dip in trade.

"We have had to make ourselves much more attractive to attract customers," he said.

"We have concentrated on the classic, Edwardian feel of the pub - but have also specialised in areas such as real ale, comedy and jazz."

  • The Local - A History of the English Pub by Paul Jennings is published by Tempus Publishing, priced £20.
e-mail: dan.webber @bradford.newsquest.co.uk
  • See a review of the book in tomorrow's Space section of the T&A.