Bradford’s Exchange Ale House, a once-popular pub that has lain empty for the past four years, has been reopened as a Bradford Brewery venue.
The city centre pub has undergone a complete refurbishment to give it a new lease of life, after the brewery recently took on a lease from Trust Inns.
The Exchange is below the stunning Grade 1 listed Wool Exchange on Market Street, Bradford, with its brick arches underpinning the ornate Waterstones bookshop. It had fallen into a state of disrepair during the years it was left unused.
The venue has required extensive refurbishment work to bring it back to life as a “cool” cellar bar. Some original features, including the characteristic vaulted brick barrel ceiling and flagstone floor, have been retained but there’s a brighter ambience and a new bar, furnishings and fittings, lighting and sound system have been installed.
It is the brewery’s first permanent bar other than the adjacent brewery tap in the city’s Independent Quarter leisure area. It will now be a showcase for Bradford Brewery’s Made of Bradford brand, selling a good selection of cask and keg ales combined with a hot food offer.
As well as the brewery’s own draught beers and Bradford Lager, the Exchange will stock other draught keg lines including Krusovice, Amstel, and Maltsmiths. It will offer a range of bottled beers, including Bradford Brewery’s Lager and Hockney Pale and a selection from Bohemia Regent and Morretti.
The Exchange is located at the heart of Bradford city centre, close to shopping areas and transport links and will open early doors for coffee and breakfast customers.
Exchange bar Manager Berry Jagoda Lapaj said: “We’re really excited to be reopening the Exchange which was once one of Bradford’s best-loved bars, and we think people will be pleased with the revamp that we’ve given it.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new – whether it’s those coming to enjoy a bit of nostalgia and relive some of the hey-days of the Exchange, or those who’ve not been before and want to give us a try.
“The aim is to complement the other successful venues around us while endeavouring to be a bit different, so we can draw more people to this corner of town”.
There are plans for occasional music nights, a quiz and other events and there will be board games in the bar for those who just want to relax with a beer or a coffee.
The brewery is bringing back its Made of Bradford merchandise with T shirts first up and orders being taken at the Exchange or Brewery bars.
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Gerry Crookes
Crux Communications
Tel: 0792 126 3298
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