Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor is selling four of its tied estate pubs in a move aimed at helping it to expand its tied estate and fund its on-going refurbishment programme.

Two Keighley pubs - the Eastwood Tavern in Bradford Road and the Cricketers Arms in Coney Lane - are to be auctioned at Bradford on September 30.

They are expected to realise around £50,000 each when they go under the hammer of auctioneers Feather, Smailes and Scales.

The brewery has also instructed Christies to sell the Timothy Taylor at Braithwaite Avenue, Keighley, and the Blue Boar at Thornton Road, Bradford. The Timothy Taylor is expected to reach in the region of £100,000 and the Blue Boar around £75,000.

At the same time, Taylor's are due to complete the purchase of the Shepherds Arms at Colne on October 1.

Managing director Charles Dent is delighted by the acquisition. He says: "Colne has always been one of our strong trading areas, and it will be good to have a pub there. We plan to completely refurbish the Shepherds and have it open again in time for Christmas."

Andrew Daykin, the brewery's tied estate manager, says: "In the last 12 months we have invested almost £1 million in refurbishing a number of our pubs. This latest reorganisation will help us look at new areas of opportunity and continue our policy of offering the very best traditional ales and good food in the most convivial surroundings."

He adds: "For an individual or couple entering the licensed trade for the first time, either the Eastwood or the Cricketers offers an ideal introduction. And I am sure the Blue Boar or Timothy Taylor, free of tie, will make an excellent business opportunity for free trade owners."

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