Thriving Bradford pub to be knocked down for car park

As reported in the Telegraph and Argus today a busy Bradford pub is to be knocked down to be replaced by a car park, after a questionable decision by councillors at City Hall.

The Winston Churchill Inn, on Wakefield Road, will be demolished after the Bradford Area Planning Panel found it had no grounds for ruling against an application by neighbouring firm, Pitt Wilson Electrical.

Yesterday’s meeting heard how the pub’s licensee, Pat Robinson, had been in hospital because she was so distressed about losing her livelihood and her home.

It also heard that receivers, KPMG Ltd, which took control of the Winston Churchill when its owners went into administration, had not entertained bids to buy the pub.

Albert Cleghorn, a regular at the pub, told the meeting he had made an offer to buy the pub some months ago, but no negotiations had been entered into.

Coun Robinson said: “The fact that he hasn’t had a response from the receivers is deplorable in my opinion.”

Reaching the decision, committee member Coun John Pennington (Con, Bingley Rural) said: “After we offered to defer the matter from the last planning panel, we have given it a fair chance, but sadly our hands are tied.”

Speaking afterwards, Coun Jamil said: “I’m saddened and upset by this outcome. It’s a community facility and it should have been saved on this alone.”

The Winston Churchill has stood on Wakefield Road since the 1700s when it was a coaching Inn. This makes it all the more saddening that a building that is 300 years old can be disregarded in this way especially when there are possible buyers to make use of the building.