Groove Pad Bar reopens under Wright Pub Group management

Experienced pub operators the Wright Pub Group have teamed up with previous owner Andy Parkinson to run the Groove Pad Bar & Kitchen on Saltaire Road in Shipley.

The new look will see the Groove Pad continue on the first floor with downstairs becoming Studio 48 - a more intimate bar and venue.

The venue will be managed by Donna Lohan, of the Wright Pub Group.

Live music will still be the heartbeat of the bar (Image: Newsquest) She said: “We are really excited to be taking on Groove Pad, which is a really exciting live music venue and craft beer bar, adding Studio 48 as a second bar and venue downstairs. 

“We are pleased to build on the great work of Andy and his team and to work with him to continue to offer great live music, drinks and food.

"We look forward to continuing to have great gigs here as well as local beer and our American sandwich menu, which has proved very popular in the Otley Tavern.

"We hope that the local community in Shipley and Saltaire and live music and beer lovers from all over Bradford will come and support us”.

The bar will serve a range of drinks (Image: Newsquest) Groove Pad will continue to be a craft beer bar, with a range of cask and keg beers, cocktails and premium drinks, as well as specialising in American sandwiches and burgers.

Andy, a well known local musician and music tutor, is once again overseeing the music side of the venue.

There will be live music every Friday and Saturday, with chilled Sundays, as well as the bar opening throughout the week.

Groove Pad will continue to have rehearsal rooms for local bands and musicians to book. 

Groove Pad gigs, both covers and originals, have been popular and well attended since it opened in 2021, but sky-high energy bills and rising costs forced Andy to close the doors in July.

Now working with Donna and Mark Smith, of the Wright Pub Company, the venue can continue to serve the local community and support music acts.

Previous owner Andy Parkinson will still play a part at Groove Pad Andy said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Wright Pub Group Donna has taken on Groove Pad which will continue to be a focus for live music in Shipley. 

"It will be great to work with Donna and Mark as experienced pub operators and allow me to focus on the music side of Groove Pad, with a regular programme of gigs of all genres of music, as well as offering rehearsal space.

"My passion has always been grassroots music and supporting live music and musicians in the local area."

Groove Pad opened last night (Friday, October 4) with a gig headlined by 13th Day - a teenage rock covers band that was formed from the Vault Rock school.