A RECENTLY listed city centre pub could be converted into offices if new plans are approved.

The New Beehive on Westgate was awarded listed status by Historic England earlier this year.

Dating back to 1901, the Beehive was described as a “rare survival” of a pub from that era.

However, its future as a pub may be coming to an end if a new planning application is approved.

The application by Sakhawat Hussain, who purchased the empty building earlier this year, seeks permission to change the use of the ground floor to office space.

It described the listed pub as being in a “poor condition.” 

As well as a planning application, Mr Hussain has applied for listed building consent for the works.

The plans show that while some features, including ring bells, fireplaces and panelling would remain, other features familiar to pub goers would disappear.

The famous pink room, mentioned in the listing, would become “office 2.”

Historic England’s Listing of the pub described it as “a rare survival of a late Victorian internal plan of four rooms centred around a drinking lobby.”

The application says: “We have all worked together to preserve as much as possible internally to minimise the impact on the listed building.”

Questioning the building’s historic significance, the application adds: “While the building has been listed, it is not within a conservation area and there are other more important buildings within the surrounding areas of much greater importance due to their architectural and historical interests.”

A spokesman for the Bradford Civic Society said: “I think a lot of people will be quite sad to see an historic pub losing its original function, especially one full of such character.

“That said, it's a matter of public record that the previous landlord had been trying for some time to keep The Beehive going as a pub, but it just wasn't viable for whatever reason, and there appears to have been little interest.

“It would've been nice to see it remain as a pub, especially given its proximity to Valley Parade, and with efforts to boost the city's night-time economy.

“We just have to be hopeful that the emergency listed status will lead to very sensitive works being carried out to the historic fabric of the building. I know that those with a keen interest, such as CAMRA, will join the Civic Society in keeping a close eye on what happens next."

A decision on the application is expected next month.