WHEN The Black Rat opened it was the smallest pub in Bradford.

“It is about 24ft by 16ft,” said landlord Geoff Locke who runs the popular micro pub in Thackley with his wife Ann. “We also have a little outside space.”

Since then the pub has been outdone in the tiniest stakes by the nearby Ainsbury.

In the Black Rat, everyone talks.

“We don’t have music or TVs. Everybody knows everybody and everyone talks - it’s how pubs used to be many years ago. Our customers are aged 18 to 90, and we have lots of regulars.

“It’s on the main road and buses running between Keighley and Leeds pass through. People get off and pop in for a drink. We also get a lot of dog walkers who pop in when they visit Buck Wood which is behind us. It’s a real community pub and has a lovely cosy atmosphere.”

This year the Black Rat - which is the T&A’s Pub of the Week - appeared in the Camra Good Beer Guide.

“We sell many different beers and try of possible to get them from micro breweries in Yorkshire,” said Geoff. “We try to stick local - some are from Bridgehouse Brewery and Naylor’s Brewery in Keighley, and Daleside Brewery in Harrogate.

“We have some from further afield, from Sheffield and Coach House in Warrington.”

Alongside the beers are seven types of cider from Lilley’s in Somerset.

“We listen to customers - if they try something at another pub and like it they tell us about it and we find out more about it. Sometimes breweries ring and tell us about their beers.

“Certain drinks sell better at different times of the year. In summer light beers, pale ales and light fruit ciders are popular, whereas in winter people tend to go for stouts and porters.”

Ann has a background working for large pub chains, such as Tetley and Greene King, while Geoff worked in bakery management for large supermarkets

“For me it was something completely different. I have dealt with the public in supermarkets so I was used to a role that was customer focused. It’s a lovely pub and we liked the idea of working together.

“We work well together - she makes me work hard,” jokes Geoff.

The micro pub was the idea of Colin Townend, who previously owned the building.

Previously a florist’s shop, it opened in March 2016. “We were good friends with Colin and Christine who opened and ran the pub,” said Geoff. “They asked Ann to help out, and I helped with the cellar when they were on holiday. When they decided to sell we bought it.”

“Since the pub opened another six micro bars have opened not far away, including in Idle, Greengates and Undercliffe, so it’s quite a hub.”

“I knew nothing about running a pub but soon picked it up. Colin passed a lot of information on to me. It is so easy to run. It is very rewarding - when someone says ‘That’s a really beautiful pint’ it makes me feel good.”

The Black Rat was so-called simply as a quirky name. “We have about 20 rats, such as a stuffed rat and a rat’s skeleton in the pub. Sometime dogs spot them and thing they are real,” laughs Geoff.

Geoff and Ann found lockdown hard. “It’s difficult when you have an uncertain future - we did not know what was going to happen. The Government has done a good job in keeping us going.”

They are happy to be back at the helm but, having reached an age where they are looking to retire, they are thinking of their next move. “We would like to live in Spain, and are contemplating what to do next,” said Geoff. “But we would miss the pub.”

*The Black Rat, 530 Leeds Road, Thackley BD10 8JH. The pub has a Facebook page.