Campaigners Fear for Historic Bradford Pub

Story and EXCLUSIVE PICTURES by Daniel Lynch 

 

Efforts are underway to save the oldest pub in Bradford.

The Cock and Bottle on Church Bank has been closed for two years and is now the subject of a planning application which the Campaign for Real Ale claims is illegal.

CAMRA allege that developers have failed to consult conservation authorities such as English Heritage, which is a legal requirement, and say they are "astonished that the application has made it this far."

Dale Ingram, CAMRA's Pubs Protection Advisor told a planning panel: "All of the expert opinion agrees that the harm to the Cock and Bottle's heritage value is very substantial."

CAMRA have vowed to pursue the case, and have threatened to take the issue to Bradford born Secretary of State, Eric Pickles for support.

They say that since the pub was bought by current owner - Aftab Ali - two years ago they have tried to maintain a working dialogue.

Ms Ingram continued: "At least one pub-owning couple in Bradford would willingly have entered into negotiations with Mr Ali to take a lease on the premises to run it as a pub, had one been available. 

"The only reason the Cock and Bottle has been closed for 2 years is because that is when Mr Ali bought it and he has chosen not to open it or to find someone to do it for him."

Cock & Bottle owner Aftab Ali

Mr Ali refutes these claims saying he has complied with all regulations which are in place. He says that the structural features CAMRA and English Heritage are looking to preserve are still intact and he wants them to remain part of the building's new look.

 "We're going to renovate it tastfully, in line with all the regulations. Nothing has been disturbed and that was never my intention."

In addition, he says he has not broken off contact with CAMRA or council officers throughout the planning process and that should anyone approach him with a lease offer he would be open to negotiations.

"CAMRA seem to miss the point that nobody had the money or the inclination to invest in the pub. I did. I'm doing more for English heritage than they could ever have done because they haven't invested a penny in it."

Mr Ali argues that he is not only staying true to the pub's history, but that he is enhancing and repairing features which through time have become damaged.

He allowed BCB News inside the building to capture the following exclusive images: