Keighley pub likely to be flattened as part of Aldi scheme

The Cricketers Arms on Coney Lane in Keighley was due to be retained as part of a development of the long empty Alexandra Mills site in the town centre.

The development will see a new Aldi built on the old mill site, along with a Tim Hortons drive-thru and smaller shop units.

The town’s existing Aldi, which is a short distance away, will close once the new store opens.

Part of the planning approval for the development included a guarantee that the Cricketers, which dates back to the 1840s, be retained as part of the retail development.

An artist's impression of the planned Aldi development (Image: Aldi)

But since approval for the development was granted, the Cricketers has shut, with the then landlords claiming the pub was "no longer being a viable business". 

Now Aldi has revealed it has purchased the building and has submitted an application to flatten the pub as part of the wider site redevelopment.

The pub was originally known as the Sportsman until Keighley brewery Timothy Taylor’s purchased it in 1872 and changed its name.

It was then taken on by Worth Inns in 1998.

The application by Aldi describes the building as “non-descript” and adds: “The pub ceased trading in March 2022 following the owner’s confirmation that it was no longer operating as a viable business.

The Cricketers Arms (Image: T&A)

“Following discussions with Aldi and the [then] owner, Aldi have secured the option on the vacant building and are seeking its demolition.

“The demolition is two-fold: the vacant pub is structurally poor and is likely to fail/ collapse following the demolition of the neighbouring buildings as part of the planning permission and its demolition will allow for more uniform landscaping along the Coney Lane boundary as part of the wider extant retail led permission.

An artist's impression of the planned Aldi site in Keighley (Image: Aldi)

“The Cricketers Arms is not statutorily or locally listed as a designated heritage asset, it is not located in a conservation area, nor is it recognised as an asset of community value.

“Combined, the vacant public house is not considered worthy of retention, nor does policy prevent its demolition.

“The pub has been vacant for 16 months following its closure based on sustained poor trading performance.

“The pub's closure has not resulted in the total loss of such facility in the local area – with a number of pub/ drinking establishments in the immediate area.”

A decision on the application is expected next month.