Former Bradford mortuary site could be bar (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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Former Bradford mortuary site could be bar
9:26am Monday 28th September 2009 in
Entrepreneurs with an eye for the unusual are being given a rare opportunity to buy a well-known building in the dead centre of Bradford.
The former mortuary at 18 Wilton Street, in the city’s student quarter, is up for sale at auction with a guide price of between £80,000 and £100,000.
And the auctioneers believe there is potential for the building to be converted into a nightclub or bar, with every body welcome to pop in for a stiff drink, perhaps.
Paul Thompson, director of Pugh & Company, which is selling the mortuary on behalf of Bradford Council, said: “In this business, you sell some wild and wacky things.
“In the past, we have sold nuclear bunkers, windows and ponds, but I can honestly say I have never sold a mortuary before.
“There is no planning consent but the building may suit retail, restaurant, nightclub, bar or a take-away – all subject to getting consent.
“We had all the jokes – come in for a stiff drink, every body welcome!
“There will be interest from the point of view that it’s quite a quirky property.
“It’s got a number of potential uses because it is close to the city centre. You could see it working as a pub or restaurant, with a quirky name. It might appeal to students.”
But David Haigh, chairman of Bradford Inner City Licensees Association (BICLA), quipped: “No way is anyone going to go to a mortuary for a pint. The pubs are dead enough as it is!”
Mr Thompson said the inside of the building was open plan and may not require too much work to convert for a number of potential uses.
The vacant property comprises first floor office accommodation and integral garage leading to a courtyard. The ground floor measures 1,270 sq ft and the first floor measures 239 sq ft.
The auction will take place in the Lorimer Suite at Leeds United Football Club’s Elland Road stadium at 2pm on October 20.
Comments(19)
g-daffi
says...
10:33am Mon 28 Sep 09
albion
says...
10:51am Mon 28 Sep 09
g-daffi wrote:The type of pub such as the Wetherspoons chain are opening new ones all over the country.
Hasnt anyone noticed pubs are closing not opening?
sarahkate
says...
12:50pm Mon 28 Sep 09
ivski
says...
12:50pm Mon 28 Sep 09
Think before you write such tosh.
Moon on a stick
says...
1:16pm Mon 28 Sep 09
.
He spent all of his life in the kebab business and was buried with all his equipment ....... Probably turning in his grave.
Leighann
says...
1:21pm Mon 28 Sep 09
ivski wrote:Oh get a grip will you, we've all had people in the public mortuary at one time in our life. He means in the 'dead centre of bradford' i.e. centre of town/bradford (joke)
How insensitive of the editor. Saying in the Dead centre !! My brother was in there after dying tragically. Think before you write such tosh.
ivski
says...
2:38pm Mon 28 Sep 09
sarahkate
says...
2:42pm Mon 28 Sep 09
ivski wrote:I too have seen loved ones in the mortuary and it isn't a pleasant experience, but I am not the least bit offended by this piece of writing. I actually think the way they have presented the story is quite clever and amusing. We all end up there in the end, so a bit of black humour does no harm. While I sympathise with anyone who has suffered a tragic loss, I believe that sometimes people are offended because they chose to be offended!
How insensitive of the editor. Saying in the Dead centre !! My brother was in there after dying tragically. Think before you write such tosh.
Moon on a stick
says...
2:58pm Mon 28 Sep 09
sarahkate
says...
3:04pm Mon 28 Sep 09
Moon on a stick wrote:I agree 100 per cent. I don't buy the T&A as much these days because it isn't always very thought-provoking, but this article challenges you to think in a different way, perhaps outside your comfort zone. After all, the topic of property conversion wouldn't have been that exciting without the splash of humour!
TBH it is good to see some humour in an articile in the T and A rather than just a repackaged press release.
strummerboy
says...
4:06pm Mon 28 Sep 09
Very old with no head.
lonniejockstrap
says...
4:38pm Mon 28 Sep 09
strummerboy wrote:There should be a good choice of 'spirits' .
Hope they're not selling Anne Boleyn Ale. Very old with no head.
Moon on a stick
says...
4:41pm Mon 28 Sep 09
lonniejockstrap wrote:If it is made into a student bar, you won't be coffin up much for a pint.
strummerboy wrote: Hope they're not selling Anne Boleyn Ale. Very old with no head.There should be a good choice of 'spirits' .
g-daffi
says...
7:16pm Mon 28 Sep 09
albion wrote:Agreed but theres more closing than opening and very soon there wont be many left.
g-daffi wrote: Hasnt anyone noticed pubs are closing not opening?The type of pub such as the Wetherspoons chain are opening new ones all over the country.
mr.marsden
says...
9:41pm Mon 28 Sep 09
It looks like its time that Muslim councillors were taking more interest in being on the Licensing Committee.
finemess
says...
10:05pm Mon 28 Sep 09
I'll get me coat!
albion
says...
1:44pm Tue 29 Sep 09
mr.marsden wrote:And who exactly owns the majority of booze outlets around the city?
It's a sick idea. That mortuary has seen a lot of tragic cases, murders, including Ripper victims, accidents such as Bradford City Fire victims, so why should booze sellers help their business along by making a joke out of it?
It looks like its time that Muslim councillors were taking more interest in being on the Licensing Committee.
mr.marsden
says...
4:42pm Tue 29 Sep 09
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Apollo says...
10:10am Mon 28 Sep 09
I could not have described it better myself.