THE year was 1899 and work had just begun on dealing with a notorious Cavendish Street ‘bottleneck’ at the top of Lawkholme Lane, caused by the proximity of the Queen’s Head Inn on the right and the Oddfellows’ Arms on the left.
Demolition appears at first glance to have started on the roof of the Queen’s Head and on premises glimpsed lower down Cavendish Street behind the Oddfellows’ Arms.
However, Keighley Corporation had sold the latter to Halifax brewers T Ramsden and Sons Ltd on condition that they replace it with a finer hostelry – the Cavendish Hotel was the result.
The Queen’s Head was allowed to remain in business only until the Cavendish was completed, then demolished in turn. The workmen on the roof seen here are on a higher building behind.
The premises in the right foreground were replaced in 1923 by a Halifax Building Society in what was for Keighley an unusual Portland stone.
The photograph has been supplied by Kevin Seaton, of Bradford Road, Riddlesden.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here