A KEIGHLEY brewery is to open a town-centre pub.

Wishbone Brewery is renovating premises in Low Street, with the aim of having the new venture up and running by Christmas.

The company's director and head brewer, Adrian Chapman, and his wife Emma bought the three-storey building in late 2020.

Now, after the tenant moved out in April, the process of conversion is beginning.

It's planned to get the ground floor functioning as a pub first, whilst work continues upstairs and on the outside space.

The current estimated cost is around £40,000.

Mr Chapman says: "For years, Keighley has been lacking the beer choice that you can get in many other local towns. Our aim is to change this. Our drinks offering will be supporting of smaller independent breweries and obviously include a good range of Wishbone beers!

"We initially bought the building as a way to help protect our brewing business, by opening a brewery tap bar so there is a permanent focal point for our beers in Keighley.

"We want to work more with the likes of Keighley Big Local and aim to make our building accessible for local community groups.

"We're excited to bring something a bit different to Keighley that will give modern drinkers a reason to stay in the town. We want to try develop the beer scene in Keighley, which will help support other business in the area too."

Mr Chapman says the pub will strive not to serve anything that other outlets locally such as tied premises and supermarkets offer.

And the initiative will create jobs – a manager and other staff will be recruited.

First tasks include roofing work, and it's hoped first-floor windows can be restored to their former glory.

But Mr Chapman adds: "The entire first floor may be a secondary project after we get a functioning bar on the ground floor, though toilets will be created upstairs – in addition to toilet facilities at ground level, with access for anyone less able.

"We will also have a nice little beer yard out the back.

"Plus we are keen to have a community aspect to the pub – we will have room to accommodate local groups etc."

Wishbone began brewing in 2015.

The company is based in Chesham Street, off Dalton Lane, on the ground and first floor of a mill shed that once formed part of Sir James Hill Textiles.