AT LEAST 11 pubs and bars are currently on the market in the Bradford district in a snapshot indicating the state of the pub industry.

Of the 11, only three are actually closed at the moment - The Star Inn on Westgate, Bradford, and the Ferrands Arms and Delilah’s in Bingley - while the others are being marketed as going concerns.

A spokesman for the Bradford branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) said the pub industry was very competitive at the moment and dependent on changing demographics.

Kerr Kennedy said: “I couldn’t say whether it is a large or small figure but there is probably more [for sale] than there used to be.

TOP STORIES: 

“There is probably always a good number on the market. There is always a turnover and pressure on landlords.”

He said the owner of a traditional large pub building faced a lot of costs, with rates quite high. According to sale particulars, the rateable value of the Star is £16,500 while the New Beehive is £19,250 and the Ferrands Arms is £38,250.

“Rates relief is available but it is up to the council,” he added.

“There are local issues like demographics but large pubs do find it difficult because of overheads.

“A pub company has criteria so they can be quite happy to sell a property.

“Hundreds have closed in Bradford in the last 10 or 15 years. That’s the trend.

“A small bar is pretty cheap to run. Economics are behind this unfortunately. Ones on the margin are struggling.”

The 11 licensed premises on the market this week were:

  • Star Inn, Westgate, Bradford - £375,000
  • New Beehive Inn, Westgate, Bradford - £445,000
  • Wireless Bar, North Parade, Bradford - £39,950 (leasehold)
  • Rumshackalack, North Parade, Bradford - £45,000 (leasehold)
  • The Green Man, Otley Road, Bradford - £250,000 (under offer)
  • Fleece Inn, Clayton Lane, Bradford - £275,000
  • Ferrands Arms, Queen Street, Bingley - £445,000
  • Mill Bar and Grill, Westgate, Baildon - £79,950 (leasehold)
  • The Star, York Street, Bingley - £34,950 (leasehold)
  • Delilah’s, Chapel Lane, Bingley - £19,950 (leasehold)
  • New Inn, Keighley Road, Denholme - £399,500

One of the highest profile hostelries on the list is the New Beehive Inn on Westgate, Bradford.

Owner William Wagstaff said he wanted to sell the New Beehive and cut down at this stage of his career on his pub estate, which also includes the Beehive in Shipley and a business in Sheffield.

He said: “The New Beehive is quite a demanding business as it is a hotel as well. But it wouldn’t be a pub any more if I hadn’t changed it into a hotel.”

He said it was not struggling, “far from it”, but he said the pub trade was challenging at the moment.

“It’s not an area people want to buy into. A lot of people haven’t got that much to invest. Anyone can buy a leasehold and invest 20 grand.

“North Parade is an attractive street and a good place to start a bar.

“The Star’s market has gone further down the hill. Money is being invested in certain streets, like Ivegate. The Star was a success a couple of years ago but is now in the wrong place.”

He said over the years the market in Bradford had moved from Manor Row to the West End, to North Parade and now Ivegate.

“There’s only so much trade to support so many. There’s a different market in Ivegate compared to North Parade.

“You have to be able to adapt and reinvest in certain areas.”

A spokesman for Star Inn owners Admiral Taverns said: “At Admiral we are focussed on working closely with our licensees to support them to run sustainable pub businesses. However despite all parties’ best efforts, the sustained poor trading performance of the Star has meant we have closed the pub and it is listed for sale.”

Mr Kennedy said it was a shame the pub had closed.

He added: “It has been noted by Camra and obviously we have got our eye on it.”

He said it had had a number of licensees over the years and had not always sold real ale but “a pub’s a pub” and they would be hoping it is kept as a local.

Of the other pubs and bars for sale, the Ferrands Arms closed about a year ago and is now boarded up. It is described by Westlake & Co Chartered Surveyors as a long-established high capacity licensed trade premises with “significant potential for development including external areas”.

Delilah’s in Bingley was the former Bijou nightclub. It is described on the Daltons Business website as “an excellent opportunity for the right operator to develop a new bar/restaurant”.