1. Bradford Brewery Opens!
Last month saw the opening of the long-
awaited Bradford Brewery. I was invited
down to the independent quarter in
Bradford’s city centre for a pre-open night to
sample the first Bradford brew for six
decades – in fact, since Hammond’s Brewery
closed in 1955.
In attendance was the Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress of Bradford, who together pulled
the first pint. Some of Bradford’s councillors
and press were also there.
The brew itself was quite a pleasant
surprise. It had a distinctive fruity
taste; quite unique. It reminded me
of beers in Eastern Europe. I could
imagine it would have gone down
very well with the wool merchants
and factory workers of Victorian
Bradford. The brewery was also
serving award-winning Pieminister
Pies, a well-known brand at music
festivals. These were served in a trendy box
with mushy peas and gravy.
The brewing business is quite scientific. It
takes great skill to produce something like
this brew, soon to be seen in pubs all over
Bradford and beyond. Hats off to Steve
Crump, the brewmaster. The Brewfactory
Bar will be showcasing beers from other UK
breweries as well.
Later the Lord Mayor gave
an uplifting speech and
welcomed the new enterprises
now opening in the area.
Matthew Halliday spoke of his
dream of bringing the micro-brewing
industry to Bradford after seeing its success in
London and other towns around the UK. The
building itself was once the home of Shaw’s
Moisture Meters. This company
manufactured a very important invention in
the wool trade that could detect the amount
of water in wool bales.
Next to the brewery is the
Brewfactory pub. The pub
decor has a very simple,
rustic look about it and has
cleverly integrated plywood
and existing brickwork.
Lantern-type lights hang
from the ceiling and there
are a number of neon lights
around the place, one
saying “Made of Bradford”.
PR consultant Gerry Crookes of Crux
Communications, who’s been marketing the
brewery, said that the design team had
wanted to give it the feel of the old factory,
blended with a more contemporary urban
style. The Shaw’s were keen to preserve the
history and look of the building.
And that sums up the place: the old with the
new. A forward-looking enterprise
remembering Bradford’s rich past.
I had a great night and met many Facebook
and Twitter friends. If you are paying a visit
it’s just off Westgate, BD1 3SQ on the map.
Lots more info on the Facebook page.
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THE LOCAL LEADER
SPRING 2015
PHIL’S PHOTOGRAPHY WALKABOUTS
In our popular column, Phil writes about where he’s been with his camera
recently and tells the story of his travels across the BD postcode!
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3. Opening of the BeerHouse
Most of my walkabouts this edition have
been in the rapidly rising independent
quarter. Recently I was invited to the long-
awaited opening of the BeerHouse on North
Parade.
Housed within a Grade II-listed building, it
was once the home of the Liverpool and
Victoria Insurance and, more recently, a
furniture shop. The new venture was
designed by David Craig, who also designed
the nearby Record Café. If you’re about the
town, call in for the Beerhouse experience – a
perfect venue to meet up after work or go for
a night out with a group of friends.
It has a bright, friendly and modern
atmosphere with a very homely feeling. It
also boasts a great-looking menu, from
snacks and nibbles to traditional pub food;
from the humble jacket potato to a whole
chicken from the tandoor oven. The menu
also has an impressive list of wines from all
over the world. I had the Beerhouse mixed
grill and a pint of Timothy Taylor’s
“Landlord”, which I would highly
recommend.
It felt like a place you could relax after work
or shopping, or just sit with a drink by the
window and watch the world go by in the
new independent quarter! The bar area runs
the full length of the back wall, backed up by
knowledgeable and helpful bar staff.
The BeerHouse is just what the area needed –
right place, right time, I’d say. It's leading the
way and opening the gates for more
enterprise, making North Parade the place to
be in Bradford.
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THE LOCAL LEADER
SPRING 2015
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4. 39
THE LOCAL LEADER
SPRING 2015
Under the town hall clock
The Bradford Police Museum is a new
museum dedicated to showcasing the
history of policing in Bradford.
For many years I have wanted a look in the
cells “under the town hall clock” – for
historical interest, not as a lodger! The cells
had been used as a storeroom for thousands
of council documents. At last there was a
big clear-out. The museum opened late last
year for a trial run and it was quite clear
that it was going to be a popular attraction.
So at the end of February I went to the
reopening of the Bradford Police Museum.
The entrance is at the front of City Hall in
Centenary Square. You will see the board
outside.
The museum is not Bradford Council-run
and is in fact a charity, so there is a small
charge for a tour of the Victorian cells.
On entering there is a large room filled with
glass cabinets containing lots of interesting
historical photos that you can browse
through before you are taken by one of the
guides around the Victorian cells for a
fascinating look into a world not many of
us would have seen. Built in 1873, the cells
were actually part of Lockwood and
Mawson’s plans when designing the new
town hall. It has changed very little since.
On the tour you will get a feel for what a
dreadful place it would have been, not only
in Victorian times but right up to when it
closed. You are shown through the big doors
at the back of City Hall, where the guide will
explain what would happen to the arrested
person. They would be taken up to the
charge desk. Their pockets would then be
emptied and they would be booked in; they
would then be taken a short distance to the
cells.
The first cell you visit has an interesting
story connected with it about a famous man
from the past who made his escape when he
visited Bradford in 1905. Not wanting to
give too much away about the tour of the
cells, I think it’s well worth a visit: a must-
see Bradford attraction both for locals and
visitors to the city.
For more info there is a Facebook page, or
visit the following website:
www.bradfordpolicemuseum.com
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5. The Five Rise Locks
Staircase locks are two or more locks joined to-
gether so that the bottom gates of one lock are
the top of gates of the next.
On the Leeds–Liverpool canal near Bingley we
have a fantastic example: a staircase of five
locks that lifts boats up 60 feet. And have been
doing it for over 200 years. Built in 1774 and
designed by John Longman of Halifax, the locks
won a heritage award in 1975. Today it looks as
just as good as it did when built, but in fact it’s a
bit like Trigger’s brush in the classic episode of
Only Fools and Horses – the lock gates have to be
completely replaced every 25 years. They are
specially made at a firm near Castleford.
You can get to the canal from Bingley town
centre via a bridge that passes over the new
bypass. That will bring you out at the smaller
Three Rise Locks. Turn left and just a short
walk later you will come upon the majesty of
the Five Rise Locks.
If you felt like a bit more walking it’s just 111
miles to Liverpool, or in the other direction, 16
miles to Leeds! Or if you are a bit like me, a few
yards up the path there is a great café that does
some amazing cakes and pots of tea.
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THE LOCAL LEADER
SPRING 2015
North Parade - bit of
history
As in many modern towns, the North
Parade area of Bradford is today just
starting to bounce back from a deep
depression that had a negative effect on
high-street shops all over the country.
With help from a Bradford Council
scheme, many new businesses are
emerging: shops, pubs, restaurants and
cosy cafés. The area has now been
dubbed “the independent quarter”.
Businesspeople are now gaining the
confidence to invest in the area, and
feedback from places like The Bradford
Brewery, The Beerhouse and many
more has been amazing.
It’s hard to believe that in 1815 the area
around North Parade was a tranquil,
semi-rural spot with a few buildings
and a manor house (occupied by the
Rawson family). Twice a year they had
the Bradford Pleasure Fair, a glorious
medley of wild beast shows, waxwork
exhibitions and wandering thespians,
not forgetting the wonderful market
with an endless variety of goods from
all over the world.
The fair stretched along North Parade
on both sides of the street, then carried
on down Darley Street right to the
Bowling Green Hotel on Bridge Street.
The Local Leader will be following the
rise of North Parade in my photo
walkabouts in the next few editions.
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