WITHIN the cluster of historic cottages nestled around a cobbled courtyard in Thornton is a former watchmaker’s workshop.

Local history records reveal that the workshop was in operation in 1916. Now its legacy lives on in a bar which operates from the same property - called The Watchmaker, in a nod to its past.

The Watchmaker - the Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - can be found within the Grade II listed South Square conservation area of Thornton. The properties, built in 1832 as 12 workers’ cottages, were saved from demolition in the 1980s and the complex, one of the region’s last surviving examples of a U-shaped building with courtyard, now includes South Square arts and heritage centre, with galleries, community spaces and artists studios, and its vegetarian cafe, Plenty at the Square. The arts centre re-opens tomorrow.

Famous for its Bronte connections - Emily, Anne, Charlotte and Branwell were born in the village - and its impressive 20-arch viaduct, Thornton is popular with walkers, literary pilgrims and other visitors, and there’s a friendly welcome behind the bar at The Watchmaker, which occupies the frontage on the East wing of the South Square buildings.

With old photos of the building on the walls - courtesy of Thornton Antiquarian Society which is based at South Square - the cosy bar retains the character of the historic listed building, fused with a contemporary feel. A varied selection of cask ales, beers, wines and artisan gins is among the drinks on offer.

The Watchmaker is run by Amy and Gareth Abraham. It’s their first pub, but they’re no strangers to hospitality. The couple also run Independent Dispense Services, specialising in the installation and maintenance of drinks and dispense equipment, and have worked locally with Timothy Taylors and Saltaire Brewery.

And they have managed bars at large-scale events including Saltaire Festival and the Brighouse 1940s weekend. This year they helped set up Chow Down, an open-air drink and dining experience in Leeds.

“We opened The Watchmaker in November 2019 and traded for four months before closing due to lockdown,” say Amy and Gareth.

“We run the bar, front of house, and everything behind the scenes and our son Jake helps out too so it’s a family business.

“Lockdown has been very challenging for all hospitality but more so when you have just opened a new business. If it wasn’t for grants and the support of South Square there would no longer be a business to come back to. Bradford Council have done a great job in processing the available grants.”

Adds the couple: “We opened the bar for take-out beers when we could. The whole pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but more so in the Bradford district as we never seemed to move out of Tier 4.

“As we were only open four months - and they were winter months - we have never used the outdoor space at South Square so we have been very excited to re-open, with lots of outdoor seating. Recent renovations at South Square also mean that the building is looking great, and the courtyard is perfect place to relax. And now the old sash windows inside the bar area can open for lots of air flow.”

Since re-opening on May 19, the bar has been operating on a first come first served basis. “If anyone would like a table of six then feel free to message us on social media and we will happily reserve them a place, but otherwise just turn up. No need to book,” says the couple.

“We don’t serve food but the arts centre’s cafe, Plenty at the Square, is open so it’s the perfect time to grab a locally produced veggie lunch to go with your drink!”

The couple live in Thornton and many of their regulars are fellow villagers: “They were always asking about re-opening and we have all been looking forward to them calling in and having that long-awaited drink with friendly faces.

“We’ve really missed seeing people, it’s been great to get back on board, catch up with regulars and welcome new people too. We also support activities that South Square runs with the local community, helping to improve the place in which we live - that brings us great pleasure. We run a tight ship at The Watchmaker so are confident that we can make the experience as safe and enjoyable as possible for everyone.

“The whole South Square centre has been undergoing renovation so there has been a lot of cleaning up to do and a touch of re-decorating. Because we were open for such a short time pre-lockdown it felt like starting again! Now we’re back into it and welcoming the people of Thornton, Bradford and beyond.”

* The Watchmaker Go to southsquarecentre.co.uk; facebook.com/watchmakerthornton; instagram.com/watchmakerthornton