Boy and Barrel in Westgate, Bradford, will re-open after sale

The Boy and Barrel, on Westgate, can be traced back to the 17th century and has been snapped up after being on the market this summer.

No details have been revealed about the new owners, but the pub is set to be refurbished and will reopen at an unconfirmed date.

The Westgate pub has been closed after it was previously refurbished in 2020

The pub has been sold for £160,000 after being on the market for an initial £175,000 asking price.

It ceased trading after it was refurbished by a previous owner in 2020.

The property includes living accommodation on its first floor, with three bedrooms, lounge, kitchen, and a bathroom. This upstairs section is expected to be converted into two flats.

💥🔨SOLD✅
The Boy & Barrell, #Bradford.
We've completed the #freehold sale off an asking price of £175,000. The sale was brokered by James Boshier from our Leeds office.
If you are looking to sell your business contact James on 07919 058921 or email james@everardcole.co.uk pic.twitter.com/DJxiBFngjN

— Everard Cole (@EverardCole) August 3, 2022

James Boshier, director Everard Cole based in Leeds, said: “The deal was pretty much agreed within two to three weeks of it going to market.”

Audrey Coyne, a previous landlady of the pub, said in 2011 that she had traced the pub back to the 1800s and had seen evidence to suggest it had been in existence as early as 1640.

The historic Boy and Barrel pub is set to welcome back customers

Dr Paul Jennings, author of The Local: A History of the English Pub, delved into the history of the Westgate site. He discovered Richard Mason Scholefield, a wool broker in Liverpool, sold the Boy and Barrel in 1874, together with a neighbouring beerhouse, to Wallers brewers for £5,000.

The building is believed to have been rebuilt in the early part of the 19th century.

An image of how the inside of the Bradford pub used to look

In 1843, a petition was organised against the pub by the local vicar and others about the concerts held there, to which, it was alleged, ‘hundreds of young persons both male and female’ went.

The Boy and Barrel was converted into a gin-palace style pub in the second half of the 19th century, with large external window and lavish interior fittings.

Back in 1959, it featured in the iconic film Room at the Top, which was nominated for six Oscar awards and picked up two for Best Actress and Best Screenplay. 

The Boy and Barrel pictured in 1975

In 2012 the pub also featured in the controversial Channel 4 documentary Make Bradford British.

The Boy and Barrel proved a popular venue for Bradford residents, who have looked back at it with fondness.

The Telegraph & Argus posted on its Facebook page last month looking for memories of the pub.

Another image of how the Boy and Barrel used to look

Debby Worsley posted: “Absolutely awesome in the ‘80s.”

Clare Stubbs wrote: “At one time it was a remaining example of the 'gin palace' style of pub, very flash."

Marcus Österström said: “Hope it will open again! Good old pub.”

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