A PROMINENT Keighley town centre pub which has stood empty for many months is set to be converted into offices.

But the bosses of the company which has bought the old Star Pub property, in North Street, want part of their conversion scheme to raise money for Airedale Hospital.

Brothers Mudassar and Taliq Hussain, of Intercity Money Ltd, hope to find buyers for some of the disused property’s many fixtures and fittings.

These include a marble fireplace, three other fireplaces, four radiators, an oak bar, alcohol pump mechanisms, light fittings above the bar, chairs and tables.

Proceeds from the sale of these items would be donated to Airedale. Company manager Mudassar Hussain said: “Airedale serves the community so well, it’s one of the best hospitals I’ve ever been to, and we’d love to be able to do something that would benefit it.

Taliq Hussain, the director of the business, added: “We wanted to put something back into the community, so decided doing this for Airedale would be the best option.

“We have a lot of items in the building that we don’t need anymore, and these will all need to come out when we begin modernising the interior.

“If we can find anyone interested in them, so we can raise a decent total for Airedale that would be great.”

The brothers, who both live in the Keighley area, explained that their money remittance company is currently based in Lawkholme Lane.

Once the extensive internal conversion is complete the former pub should provide their business with a bigger and more centrally located headquarters.

It would also accommodate a travel agents firm called Travel City – also on the ground floor – as well as a brand new security company venture on one of the upper floors.

They said the security company is expected to create about 10 new jobs.

Mudassar said: “We bought the building about a month ago. At first we were thinking of turning it into apartments, but we had a look at the market and saw there are already a lot of apartments in Keighley.

“We were attracted to buying this particular building because we really liked its character. It is one of the best looking properties here and stands on its own merits.

“We’ve had an architect in to take measurements and to put some plans into the council.

“Once the conversion starts we think it would take about 12 months. Including the large basement it is a five floor building, so this would be a big job.”

The Star was first established in 1899, but shut down last year and was boarded up until recently.

People interested in buying any of the surplus fixtures and fittings can call 07791 054777 to speak to Mudassar.