Bradford & District | Archive | 1998 | October | 23
From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Friday 23rd Oct 1998.
Real ale campaigners have safeguarded a classic Bradford pub - by securing it a Government preservation order.
The Cock and Bottle in Barkerend Road has been given Grade II listed status by the Government after it was highlighted by the Campaign for Real Ale. It means no major changes can be made inside or out without consulting Bradford Council.
But the pub's owners, Enterprise Inns, today branded CAMRA's tactics "underhand" because they had not been told of the application.
Enterprise Inns regional manager Dave Campey, who is currently overseeing the pub's renovation, said he could have easily fallen foul of the ruling through ignorance.
He said: "It's a lovely pub and I'm happy to keep it as it is but we might have had big plans for it. I'm surprised a group can suggest a building is listed without the owner being consulted."
The pub, which dates back to 1747, was listed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport because of its traditional "compartmentalised" interior.
The pub boasts an original nineteenth century bar and back bar, ornamental glazing and screen work and a rare dram shop window put in when the pub was refitted in the 1860s.
Mr Campey said the pub, which has been boarded up since earlier this year, was being repainted and rewired and having a new heating system put in ready for re-opening in December.
Geoff Brandwood, historic pubs caseworker for CAMRA, said the Cock and Bottle was one of only 200 pubs in Britain which was considered of important historical value.
He said: "It's the best example of a turn-of-the-century pub in Bradford and if listing it stops development then all well and good. Beautiful old buildings are being swept away by developers, and in some cases it's a bit like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa."
T&A Opinion
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