19th century house takes on new life as The New Line pub

“I have other properties in the area and saw that this one was going to auction,” he says. “I bought it along with my business partner Barry Smith, and we applied to turn it into a micro pub.”

The New Line pub was created from a 19th century house

With permission granted, the pair set about renovating it. “We came up with a design, and we took the building back to the original stone. Upstairs were two small bedrooms so we pulled down the walls to make it open-plan,” says Paul, who runs his own company Taylor Builders. “We now have exposed stone walls and stone fireplaces with woodburning stoves - in winter it is so warm and cosy.

“In the loft we uncovered the old beams and trusses and decided to keep them exposed. It feels really spacious and is full of character.” We called it a micro pub but it’s quite roomy inside.”

The pub's characterful interior with its exposed beams

The cosy bar

The pub, called The New Line after the road it sits on, opened in June 2018 and was at first managed by Paul’s dad Richard.

“My dad used to be a relief worker in pubs and when he retired I asked whether he would like to manage the pub and run it - he jumped at the chance.”

The hostelry - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - sells a variety of ales including those from West Yorkshire breweries including Timothy Taylor’s, Saltaire Brewery and Kirkstall Brewery.

Family, friends and regulars gather at the pub

It's a popular drinking haunt

“We have a different hand pull on every week, and we also have Guiness,” says Paul. “We stock traditional and European lagers and are introducing a range of gins, wines and cocktails.”

The pub has a steady stream of regular customers. “Some have been coming since we opened,” says Paul. “We also get people visiting the area and walkers who have come along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.”

People going out to eat at local restaurants Aldo’s, Keebabeesh or Bhajis n Beer, and Empires takeaway, often come here first or afterwards - the businesses all support each other, we send people there and they send them here.”

The pub has its own brewery downstairs

The New Line hosts a variety of social evets including weddings, baby showers, christenings, wakes “and birthday parties galore.”

Special food packages are available for events, while the daily food offering is stone-baked pizza with a variety of toppings or nachos.

Richard ran the busy pub for a year, before retiring. “Dad did a great job and still comes in with my mum and family members to drink.”

Builder Mark Faulkner now holds the reins. “Mark is one of my right-hand men at Taylor Builders, and he’s also manager of the pub, looking after the staff and organising the beer. He keeps it running to a very high standard.

“We have a great team of staff who do a fantastic job - without them the pub would not be what it is.”

Karaoke nights are held and, once a month, live singers appear.

The pub - which screens sporting events - is a local community hub, says Paul. For a time it even had its own football team, who ended up playing at Wembley in the final of the BT Sport Pub Cup in 2021,” says Paul. Sadly they lost to Brighton pub The Victoria, but were immensely proud of their achievement. There was also a BT Manager of the Month award in 2021.

L-R: Mark Faulkner, Barry Smith and Paul Taylor celebrate their BT Sport Pub Manager of the Month award in 2021 (Image: public)

The pub has a small outside area with benches, where customers can sit.

Paul sees a bright future for The New Line. “It’s going for strength to strength, and it’s nice to know it’s a bit of a legacy for me,” he says.

*The New Line, 60 New Line, Greengates, Bradford BD10 9AP. The pub opens from Wednesday to Sunday. Check times online.