Pub set to be demolished
CAR SALES BUSINESS LIKELY TO MOVE IN AS RICKY’S FACES THE BULLDOZERS
A L ANDMARK Huddersfield pub which closed down more than three years ago is set to be demolished.
Ricky’s, popular with Huddersfield Town fans on matchdays, shut in November 2015 after 59-year-old licensee Ricky Park declared himself bankrupt.
The bar, which once featured female strippers, has been derelict ever since.
Ricky had taken on the pub, near the John Smith’s Stadium, in August, 1984, and during his tenure it developed a colourful reputation. Prior to that, it was known for decades as the Waggon and Horses.
A planning application has been made to Kirklees Council by Ricky’s near-neighbours John Shaw & Son Ltd, a family-run garage, which has been supplying vans and light com- mercials for the last 45 years. The company’s plans are to demolish the two-storey building and use the land for car sales and to erect an “operations building”.
Four full-time jobs will be created if the plans are approved.
A document prepared by Huddersfield-based Acumen Designers and Architects Ltd says: “The application seeks the demolition of the vacant public house and change of use of land to form a car sales site.
“A large operations unit will sit to the rear of the site, which will be used for valeting and preparation of vehicles for sale.
“To the front of the site is the parking area/vehicle display area, with nine parking bays to the front and side of the site for the display of vehicles and 10 parking bays, including one disabled bay for customer and staff parking.
“The existing public house has been vacant for several years and will gradually fall into disrepair and attract anti-social behaviour unless the building is reused or the site redeveloped for alternative use.
“The proposed development reflects the land uses in the area, with many car sales businesses operating along Leeds Road.
“The granting of planning consent will help create employment opportunities and secure the reuse of a site that would otherwise remain vacant. The proposed development reflects the other land uses in the area and makes efficient use of the site.”
Kirklees planners have yet to decide whether to grant permission for the application.