It's interesting how buildings morph over time... This used to be a tramshed. The first trams appeared in Saltaire around 1882, initially horse-drawn and then by 1893 steam-powered trams were used. By 1904, trams were powered by overhead electric cables; Bradford Council took over the routes and built this new tramshed. Trams were superseded by trolley buses (running on overhead lines but not tracks) and this depot housed the vehicles until 1972, when trolley buses were withdrawn (Bradford being the last area in the country to use them).
For as long as I can remember, the front part of the old tramshed has been used as a bar/restaurant, now called The Hop. The back area used to be a children's adventure centre and soft play area, but (I think) has been empty for a while. Now it has been transformed into a new craft brewery, the Salt Beer Factory. (Not to be confused with Saltaire Brewery, which in fact operates out of premises in Shipley.)
They moved the huge steel vats in a couple of months ago and brewing began in early September. Now the site is overrun with workmen, getting it ready for the grand opening on November 2nd. I managed to sneak a couple of photos through an open side door. It looks as though the tap room will open out onto a terrace at the back, and according to their Facebook page (HERE), there are all sorts of live events planned.
It's amazing how many of these small breweries are springing up, despite the decline of the pub industry. The words "salt" and "beer" don't go well together in my mind, though I suppose residents of Saltaire have got used to everything being named after Sir Titus.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see these old buildings being reused! There is such a nice atmosphere about them!
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of micro-breweries around here, and an adjoining pub of each...as well as centers of entertainment. There's some kind of contest for the "Beer City of America" or some such, mainly between Asheville NC and Portland OR, at least it has been for a few years. Of course larger manufacturers also take advantage of our good water for making beer. I happen to like some of these brews, but seldom go out to evening entertainments.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good conversion of the building. It reminds me a bit of a former electric appliance repair shop that's also been converted into a microbrewery and pub.
ReplyDeleteThe blue trolley buses were very silent. On my bicycle I had to watch out as they left their depot and quietly entered the Saltaire roundabout. Trolley passengers could only hear a series of "clicks" and the swishing of the tyres.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why they call it the hop - very apt!
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