Real ale campaigners are seeking talks with the new owner of one of Bradford’s most historic pubs about plans to turn it into a cafe.

Since an appeal went out in the Telegraph & Argus for information about what was happening at the Cock & Bottle pub in Barkerend, news has reached Bradford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) that it has been bought by a businessman.

Members got worried after seeing piles of ripped out wood and carpets heaped up in the car park at the back of the listed building.

According to CAMRA branch secretary John Bell, the new owner has only started work on the first floor for family to live in and has yet not touched the Grade II listed building’s ground floor which he plans to turn into a cafe.

Mr Bell said: “We really need to meet this man just to talk about his plans and our concerns that everything must be done to retain the pub’s protected features.

“We’ve already had word from Bradford Council after the T&A article that he has been made aware of all this and if he wanted to change anything he would need permission from English Heritage first, but we’d still like him to get in touch with us so we could have a friendly face-to-face meeting.”

Julian Jackson, Bradford Council's assistant director for planning, confirmed officials had spoken to the new owner and said: “We have met the new owner and he is fully aware of the planning constraints as the whole of the building, together with all fixtures and fittings, is grade II listed.

“Currently he is cleaning up and repairing the upstairs living accommodation and considering a restaurant or cafe downstairs. Any alterations to the building would require an application for listed building consent.”

As yet no official planning application concerning the pub has been submitted.

An inn was first reported on the Cock & Bottle site in 1747 but the present day building was built in 1820. It still has lots of snugs and a tap-room with old mirrors, glass, oak fittings and tiles.

  • Read more Wednesday’s T&A