A KEIGHLEY brewery has abandoned plans to develop a brasserie it bought two years ago and is selling the building.

Timothy Taylor had intended transforming Harrogate Brasserie into a "flagship" outlet.

But the Knowle Spring firm has put the premises on the market, for over £1.3 million.

And it aims to focus its capital expenditure on the brewery.

Taylor's chief executive, Tim Dewey, said: "While many breweries have evolved over time to place more focus on their pub estate, our main efforts have always been centred on brewing.

"Since acquiring the Harrogate Brasserie we have come to realise our limitations in the leisure area, given our size and expertise.

"As a result, our hope is to sell the brasserie to a leisure specialist that can do this fantastic outlet justice.

"In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to offer our beers to our strong Harrogate following through the many existing outlets that stock our beer in the town."

The sale is being handled by specialist business property advisor, Christie & Co.

The three-storey building features a restaurant and 14 letting rooms and apartments.

David Lee, Christie's regional director, said he expected the sale to attract "significant interest".

"Freehold properties in the centre of Harrogate rarely become available," he added.

"We anticipate interest levels will be further increased due to the fact the Harrogate Brasserie is a fine building with the benefit of a licence and is a well-established hospitality business in the town centre.

"We're delighted to be working with Timothy Taylor Ltd to help sell the brasserie.

"Harrogate is well renowned as one of the hotspots of Yorkshire, and was recently voted the best place to live in the UK in one poll."

In addition to the main brasserie building, there is a townhouse terraced property – currently used by hotel guests – which is also included in the sale.

Offers in excess of £1.35m are being invited for the freehold interest of the main building – and £1.675m for the main building plus the house, on a share-sale basis.

Timothy Taylor, a family-owned brewery, was founded in 1858.

It has occupied its Knowle Spring site since 1863.

The firm has a network of 19 pubs across Yorkshire.