Patrons and passers-by in Cavendish picture (From Keighley News)

Patrons and passers-by in Cavendish picture

7:58am Thursday 7th May 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Photographing the new Cavendish Hotel in the early 1900s was obviously an event which attracted patrons and passers-by into the picture.

There was then a door on the corner and the window above it is advertising the availability of billiards. On the right, Cavendish Street awaits the completion of its Edwardian redevelopment.

The Cavendish Hotel’s predecessor, the Oddfellows’ Arms, together with the Queen’s Head Inn on the opposite side of the road, had created a notorious “bottle neck” in Cavendish Street. In 1899 the Halifax brewers T Ramsden and Sons had acquired the Oddfellows’ Arms on condition that they replace it with a grander hostelry.

The Queen’s Head was allowed to continue in business only until the Cavendish Hotel was completed, then in turn demolished.

A previously mundane Cavendish Street would eventually be hailed as “a close rival to North Street for architectural effect, width and symmetry”.

The photograph has been supplied by Mr Kevin Seaton, of Shann Lane, Keighley.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)