Yorkshire Penny Bank

Similar story with the Branch, too. (In fact so many pubs, in the Shipley catchment area )
I spent quite a sum of my wages in the Branch through the 80's and 90's, on food and booze. Good beer, food and a decent atmosphere. Also a great meeting place for City fans on a Saturday lunch time.
Post 2010 you could see the decline had set in. Food was no longer offered. The older generation were now staying at home, as their meagre pensions dictated spending money.
The last Christmas eve I spent there was in 2012. My missus and I used to arrive about 18.30, and leave two hours later - to avoid the crowds. Yet in 2012, we arrived at 19.00, listened to 'piped music' and only a dozen customers at best. To make matters worse, my pint of Tetleys tasted like it was from the Lunch time slop tray
I doubt I went in again more than twice, before its eventual closure.

 

Indeed, KK

I note too that the 'old Beehive' is in new hands, and Fannys will always be a good night. Factor in some decent eating venues nearby, and you can see why such places are becoming a 'hub' of social activity without the need for nightclubs.

 

It's quite depressing really.

I tend to go farther a field nowadays.

 

Thanks for that, Rod.
I was unaware that the Tetley situation was so long ago, but there again - it possibly explains why I am more of a real ale kinda bloke, these past five years.

 

For a City such as Bradford, it borders on 'criminal', M H.
Yet it just goes to show (yet again) how much the money boys (The larger companies) are out of touch with latter day wants and needs, in socialising.
Gone are the days our now discerning public will put up with just any old crap - we are more prepared to travel than ever before, to have a night we can enjoy. We are no longer dictated to by a social menu of dross, we now pick and choose at will. Until the money boys recognise this, their holdings will continue to close.

 

People moan that pubs are closing in Bradford and it's a ghost town yet the few decent places that are around are empty.

 

The issue with the Italian isn't necessarily just the location as people used to travel to get to it as it was so good but it relied on the Park for both parking and a useable bar area. When it was at its best you used go in and ask for a table, no booking for under 10 people, then you went over to the Park for a drink while you waited. They then rang the Park when your table was ready.

 

That is because of the fact there are no 'other' attractions around that place.

A good night for me is ............. A good drink with friends in a welcoming pub, followed by a great Cinema or Theatre event, and topped off with a good meal - All in close proximity. All that is missing, in Bradford. Sure, you have all three, but not exactly in walking distance from one to the next.
I for one will not go into Bradford to spend an hour in a pub and then go home. I want more. If Saltaire, Halifax or even Wakefield offers me more .....I will go there for six hours of entertainment.

 

Lucky you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is the only Italian in the Bradford area, I've not been in.

In 2009 I took my wife there, but we should have booked first ............ my fail

I tried on numerous occasions to book, but to no avail.
I rang in 'rush hour' one evening, and was advised that the restaurant was open for bookings at 5.00 PM. Still did not take my booking !!
Fast forward to 2013 ..........
On the way home (in business dress), I knocked on their door, about 5.30 PM - to book for the Saturday evening (My wifes Birthday).
I was faced with a young woman who exclaimed they were CLOSED - Quickly followed by a steel wielding angry chef, who demanded I stop harassing his co-worker.

You shitting me ??
I was there for about two minutes, trying to communicate with a non English speaking member of staff only to be faced by an angry chef. ................... Yeah - I didn't bother, after that
I wonder why ?

 

To be honest I am talking further back than that, pre 2000 when it was at it's height.

edit - was trying to remember what it was called, Orlando's. Think it has been Zio Guerino and La Veronica since and maybe others

 

i went out in bingley the other week and every pub was packed ,people dont like going in to bradford for some reason .

 

A couple of years ago I was staying in the Calverly Arms (my gran lived in Greengates). I used to pop in the Albion across the road from her place, and it was always nice and busy - with locals. Decent beer, a quiz going on, chilli con carne made by the landlord for a fiver, that sort of stuff. Decent ales from Acorn (Barnsley). On the way back to the Calverly Arms, I popped into the the Thornhill Arms, and it was packed and full of the noise of people chatting. Friday night.

Maybe these days, people are going back to the "community" and going to their nearest pub. Going out into any city these is a hassle of driving or finding a driver, and finding a parking space, or taking a cab and paying through the nose to get there, and the pain of trying to find a cab on the way back.

Obviously the areas around the ground and up on north parade which are residential, are generally lived in by the Asian population, who are not big drinkers/pub goers (generalisation, but you know what I mean).

The Sparrow/Record Cafe et al on that area do well with trade on match days (the free pie and peas in the Sparrow pre match is an inspired move), but I also noticed that on Sunday and Monday lunchtimes they were dead. Wandering into town after the match and bypassing top of town, and things get pretty grim. As much as it's sad to say - Leeds is actually worth the expense of a cab drive, because it's so much more vibrant.

 

Ah, OK.
Yeah ......... It was Orlando's last I tried to book. My missus has confirmed it's changed hands a few times since.

We also used to dine regularly at both D'Antonios and the Ital - However ....... D'Antonios now uses far too much salt, and it tastes foul, in truth. I've yet to visit the new Ital at Greengates ................ I've known Aldo since about 1972 (My B.I.L's best Man )
Aldo also had 'The flying Pizza' in Burley in the very late eighties.
Great building and fantastic menu - no idea why it failed so quickly.

 

I assume you are talking about Aldo senior and not Cristian's brother who owns Aldo's.

 

I live near Adel ,very rare we go into leeds , far to busy....must be my age !

 

Find a pub on North Parade and once you're done you'll be within a mile radius of Cineworld, Alhambra and an array of different restaurants.