AS A CONSUMER organisation CAMRA has been monitoring and reporting on the demise of traditional public houses for quite a period of time.
Many have closed their doors because of economic influences, a change in the way consumers socialise and the fact that for the first time ever more beer has been sold in the off-trade, supermarkets, than in public houses.
Recently however, the local branch has seen new cask beer outlets created in non-traditional venues which have been well received.
As well as these new-style operations we can report that a number of traditional pubs have come back to life after being closed for a period of time - some following sales from pub-owning companies to private individuals, some undergoing refurbishment and then new tenants taking on the challenge of running a pub.
We are hopeful that this means a new lease of life for these pubs.
The Star on North Street, owned by Punch and beautifully restored by the Keighley Townscape Heritage Initiative, is now open and serving real ale on two hand pumps.
The old Royal Oak on Mill Hey in Haworth, now renamed the Mill Hey Brew House, was privately purchased from Enterprise after their threat of selling it to a supermarket company. The devastating flooding last Boxing Day and the severe damage to the pub meant a long delay in its reopening but it is now thriving and boasts six hand pumps.
The Bay Horse in Sutton, an 18th century inn situated in the conservation area of the village, serves cask beer and is a friendly community focused pub which has opened after a period of closure.
The Marquis of Granby, a lovely canal side pub in Riddlesden, has recently been fully refurbished and reopened, and three regular and one changing cask ales are available.
By the time you are reading this the Waggon & Horses at Dyke Nook in Oxenhope, the highest free house in Yorkshire, will have also reopened with new managers to provide quality food and drink to weary travellers.
This is all very positive and there is obviously a place for these pubs in our lives: it is however truly a matter of use them or lose them. Do visit these newly-rejuvenated public houses.
For more information on these pubs as well as other hostelries visit whatpub.com, CAMRA’s online pub and club database.
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