Brewery aims to halt supermarket

The Ilkley Brewery Company wants to relocate into the old Ilkley Brewery premises, a Victorian building – the site where Tesco wants to build a controversial superstore in the town.

Bradford planners rejected Tesco's application to build a new, bigger store on an industrial park at the edge of the town centre but the firm is appealing over the decision.

Now campaign group, Ilkley Residents Against Tesco Expansion (IRATE) hopes that a move by Ilkley Brewery Company to move into the old brewery building, which is owned by Tesco, could add weight to their battle against the supermarket giant.

Chris Ives, co-founder and director of Ilkley Brewery Company, which was founded last May, said: "Our business is growing rapidly and we are shortly recruiting new staff. We have a short lease on our current building in the industrial park off East Parade but we will need to move to allow for expansion.

"It seems to make sense to complete the circle started in 1873 when the brewery was first established by moving back to the original brewery building, which remains intact but under threat of redevelopment.

"Our restoration of the old brewery buildings would enhance Ilkley's tourist attractions, drawing visitors into the town as well as restoring an important local landmark."

The company has yet to approach Tesco but wants to make a planning application for the refurbishment of the building.

Mr Ives said: "It has an awful lot of history and it is one of the few remaining tower breweries in the country. We think it would be a crying shame to lose this building. The building is over 150 years old and we have a business that fits very neatly with its original purpose.

"It was one of the biggest breweries in the country when it was up and running. As an individual I think the (Tesco) store is too big for Ilkley and should be opposed."

Bradford Council has been approached by Ilkley Brewery Company which would like to create a micro-brewery, visitor centre, shop and off licence.

The proposed Tesco superstore attracted vast opposition within the town, which already has a Tesco store.

The firm has had a fight on its hands since it submitted the controversial plans to close its store in Springs Lane, Ilkley, and move to a new, bigger store.

Tesco's application to Bradford Council attracted 2,000 letters of objection and a petition signed by about 5,000 people, say campaigners.

Ilkley Residents against Tesco Expansion has welcomed the Ilkley Brewery Company's plans.

Maura Peake of IRATE said: "We think it's wonderful. It's an ideal solution for that space because Ilkley is a tourist town and it would bring more tourists into Ilkley and small breweries are apparently a growing trend."

Opponents of the superstore fear that it will lead to a rise in traffic and blight the lives of those living around the site. They claim the new larger store is not needed.

The original Ilkley brewery, named The Ilkley Brewery and Aerated Water Company, was founded in 1873 in Brewery Road. Supplying trademark Olicana branded beers and waters it grew into one of the largest breweries in Yorkshire before being taken over by Hammond's Bradford Brewery Co in 1923.

Tesco's appeal is due to be heard by the Planning Inspectorate in July.