IT has been a landmark in Frizinghall for many years.

In the glory days when local pubs were packed with locals and revellers celebrating special calendar occasions such as Christmas and New Year, the former Park Pub, latterly known as The Turf, would have been an integral part of the local community.

Sadly though, and we have reported on this issue many times, many local pubs have closed over the years unable to compete with the social changes which have seen the growth in availability of cheaper alcohol many can now consume in the comfort of their own home.

Not even the lure of the Big Screen is sufficient to tempt folk out of their front rooms as many have invested in their own big screen TVs to watch the sport and other entertainment.

But Bradford isn't the only city to suffer from the loss of its local. Towns and cities up and down the country have seen their cityscape change from having a pub on more or less every corner to seeing the buildings either torn down to make way for another development or transformed into living accommodation such as flats or houses.

At one time there were 26 pubs in Manningham alone and all within walking distance of each other. If there are a handful left, even fewer, that is all and it doesn't even take into consideration the loss of the local around the rest of the city and district.

Of course, there are some still surviving and thriving so it isn't all doom and gloom for the pub trade. Many have re-invented themselves, introducing food and serving real ale to take advantage of this popular market

Unfortunately though, it seems that time has once and for all been called on the historic pub The Turf. Owned by Wear Inns since 2012, the pub on Keighley Road near its junction with Emm Lane, has an interesting history.

A plaque on the front states it was rebuilt in 1894 indicating it has been a meeting place for some 200 years - and many people will have their own fond memories of celebrating and spending time there over the years.