The Fighting Cock uncovers historic sign during works

The Fighting Cock, in Preston Street is having work done on its exterior currently and two ghost signs have been discovered.

A post on the pub’s Facebook page said: “Undergoing a little work on the pub exterior only to uncover a little piece of history.”

The hidden treasures – which are on either side of the pub’s entrance – both read “Webster’s Fine Ales”, which looks to be painted on wood panelling.

The two ghost signs on show either side of the entrance to The Fighting Cock, in Preston Street, Bradford (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

It is the first time The Fighting Cock is having an external refresh in around 25 years, according to long-time manager Sue Turner.

Ms Turner, who has run the multi-award-winning pub for almost three decades, said: “We’re getting the outside repainted seeing as the inside has been done already.

“The bar area, we did that during Covid.”

The panels that have been taken off read “traditional hand-pulled ales”.

Manager, Sue Turner, and Rob Garner next to one of the ghost signs (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

Ms Turner said: “The panel on the wall, we took it off to get it repainted and found a Webster’s sign behind it.

“That’s been there for God knows how long.”

It is believed the sign dates back more than 100 years but closer inspection of the left-hand side sign – which looks to be more worn and damaged – perhaps reveals something even more intriguing.

A close-up of one of the signs (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

There looks to be lettering underneath the Webster’s font, which could be from when the pub first opened in 1868, known then as the Preston Hotel.

A close-up of one of the signs (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

A photo shared by author Paul Jennings, taken sometime in the 1920s, showed two signs on similar wood panelling at either side of the Preston’s entrance.

Both read: “Stocks Gold Medal Ales”.

The Preston Hotel became The Fighting Cock in 1983.

A picture of the Preston Hotel from the 1920s, shared by author Paul Jennings

The ghost signs provoked strong reaction on social media, with many reminiscing and others celebrating the discovery of something so historic.

Ms Turner said: “It’s nice people are taking notice.”

She added: “It’s nice to know people still know what it is, what the beer is.

“People were around when it was a Webster’s pub as the Preston.”

Rob Garner found the sign while doing works on the exterior of the pub (Image: Telegraph & Argus)

The plans for what happens next are unknown at this time, save for giving the current signs a splash of colour, according to Ms Turner.

She said: “We’re just going to put some colour on it because it’s pretty drab for our time, make it stand out a bit.”

The Telegraph & Argus reported in May 2021 that The Fighting Cock was up for sale.

Ms Turner revealed now that it had “not been sold” but “new people came in to lease it”.