The Sun Hotel, Bradford, set to close (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

The Sun Hotel, Bradford, set to close

1:30pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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Last orders will be called for the final time this weekend at one of Bradford’s iconic pubs.

The owners of The Sun Hotel, in Sunbridge Road, Bradford, have said they are in the process of selling the building, which has been part of the city’s gay scene for the past 21 years.

Regulars at the pub have now said they hope the new owners will continue to run the pub in the tradition of the past two decades.

Paul Houldsworth, who works part-time at The Sun as his alter-ego drag act Miss Marigold Addams, said: “I am hoping the new owners of the building will see The Sun as we do, a hugely important and viable part of the gay community in Bradford.”

Mr Houldsworth, who has been associated with the pub for more than ten years, including working there for six years, said the term ‘end of an era’ is a phrase that has already been coined.

He said: “It is a place which is close to people’s hearts.

“It is still very important to me and I will be sad to see it go. I know other people will be sad to see it go too.

“It’s so sad because it’s not only a meeting place, it’s people’s lives and work as well.”

The pub survived a fire three years ago which ripped through a block of buildings at the rear, based in the city’s Goitside conservation area.

While other buildings were demolished, The Sun was the only property left standing and re-opened for business within a few days.

An Enterprise Inns Plc spokesman has confirmed the company is in the process of selling the pub.

The spokesman said: “Enterprise Inns can confirm that The Sun has been identified for disposal and we are currently progressing a sale with an interested party.”

A spokesman for the New Union Group, which runs The Sun and the West Leigh in Bradford, said: “We regret the fact it has had to close but due to the fact Enterprise has sold the building it is beyond our control at the moment.