The Beehive pub in Shipley is buzzing with character

Lauren Rhodes is proud to be at the helm of The Beehive, our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week.

A traditional hostelry brimming with character, among its features are stone walls, leaded windows, wood panelling, original tiled flooring, open fires and church pews.

“It’s really beautiful inside - when I first walked in I thought ‘wow!’” says Lauren. “It’s in a great location too, on Saltaire Road, so we get a lot of passing trade, and walkers come up from the canal towpath, which is nearby.”

The Beehive pub on Saltaire Road

Lauren loves being at the helm

The stone-built pub - part of the Inglenook Inns and Taverns stable - includes a large basement with its own bar which serves as a function room.

“We hold events down there with live music and DJs. We host functions such as weddings in there to - it has a capacity for 150,” says Lauren.

On Friday and Saturday evenings local bands and solo performers provide live entertainment inside the pub and outdoors in warm weather.

“We have a stage for bands out there for live music. We always get a good crowd of people.”

The pub has a pool table too, and board games that customers can play.

The pool room

A cosy corner

Aged just 26, Lauren, who grew up in Ossett near Wakefield, is already an old hand at pub management, having worked in the same role at two previous pubs, in Staffordshire and later Dewsbury.

“I’ve been working in pubs since I was 16 when I collected glasses at The Hop in Leeds,” she says.

At The Beehive, Lauren works alongside members of her family and her friends, who all help out alongside other staff. “My partner Bradley does some hours for me and his mum works here too. My younger brother is here and my best friend - she’s come with me to all my pubs.”

The pub went by the name The Beehive Hotel before being renamed Shipley Pride, and reverting back The Beehive in 2018. It is renowned for its ales and ciders, serving nine handpulls - six beer and three cider.

“We rotate them - they all sell very well. We have people coming not just from Bradford area but from across West Yorkshire to drink here. We’ve also got a lot of regulars who have been coming here for years,” says Lauren.

The fire keeps things toasty in winter

Mikah is a regular at the dog-friendly inn

Locally-brewed Timothy Taylor’s landlord is among the most popular beers, as well as Vocation, brewed near Hebden Bridge.

Lauren has introduced a pizza night, with food provided by an outside caterer.

“We want people to come along and enjoy a pizza. We have got a gorgeous beer garden where customers can sit on warm evenings. It’s a real sun trap and it’s next to the railway so people can watch the trains coming and going.”

Four-legged friends are welcome at The Beehive. “My cocker spaniel Mikah is often with me in the bar,” adds Lauren.

*The Beehive, 1 Saltaire Road, Shipley BD18 3HH