The Keirby

[ElectroClaret]

Sat in the usual traffic today on Church Street, looked across at the Keirby, its in an awful state, weeds growing out of the side of the walls, filthy windows, etc.

I knew it was in a poor state, but what a bloody eyesore.

Anyone know what's going on with it, does it house any businesses or whatever? Seem to remember a couple planning to buy and restore it about 5 years ago, don't know if anything came of that.
Or is it to be part of this seemingly interminable Town to Turf job?

Never the prettiest building, but sad to see it like this, my brother had his wedding reception there mid 70s.

If nowts going on with it, they might as well knock it down.

[AGENT_CLARET]

It was closed down in 2019 by Lancashire fire and rescue and Burnley council after failing several safety issues, a real pity because it was the areas only 4 star hotel outside of Manchester and Liverpool when built

[Poulton-le-Claret]

I think it needs to be flattened unfortunately. It looks awful and I'm not sure anyone could make it look any better.

[burnmark]

Not sure how true it is but was told that the land/building belongs to someone who would expect a hefty fee to give permission for it to be bulldozed. Might be a load of rubbish.

[Goliath]

Seems mad that they are doing up the whole area but doing nothing with the keirby. It's a real dump.
Do Continentals still have a restaurant in that building?

[ClaretPope]

My understanding is that the hotel is completely closed and the owner is concentrating on operating the car park.

[Quickenthetempo]

I was told it's housing immigrants as the rates the government pay are far higher than hotels can make.

[NewClaret]

If it’s empty surely the council can do a compulsory purchase order?

Such an eyesore that the council need to do something about.

[GetIntoEm]

There's no immigrants in there. It's unsafe.

Someone should just bite the bullet and buy it and flatten it

[MeeActon1]

Not sure how true it is but was told that the land/building belongs to someone who would expect a hefty fee to give permission for it to be bulldozed. Might be a load of rubbish.

Owned by a gentleman from Brierfield. No chance of him selling, he owns land in Nelson worth peanuts that Pendle council are trying to buy but he wants 10 million . It will be the same if Burnley council try to buy the Keirby. Although closed I have heard that hourly rates may be available.

[Big Vinny K]

2 interesting facts about The Kierby

1. It was once the subject of a question on University Challenge in the picture round. I think it was called The Crest Hotel back then - long time ago back in the days of Bamber Gascoigne
2. The hotel porter had a horrible traumatic experience with a local lothario (for those who can remember a certain previous thread on this board !!)

[karatekid]

Used to be a good night in the Swiss bar

[ClaretTony]

It was considered one of the top hotels in the north when it opened but for many years now the building has looked an absolute eyesore.

[CoolClaret]

The Keirby and a lot of the brutalist buildings around the town need pulling down, they are truly rancid.

Really cheapens the look of the town which does have some lovely Victorian & Edwardian buildings dotted about.

[karatekid]

The row of shops in front of St. Peter’s need culling also.

[Clovius Boofus]

Sounds like we're stuck with the eyesore. Great innit.

[burnmark]

Seems mad that they are doing up the whole area but doing nothing with the keirby. It's a real dump.
Do Continentals still have a restaurant in that building?

Continentals just operate from their original building for both daytime and evening service.

[ElectroClaret]

Owned by a gentleman from Brierfield. No chance of him selling, he owns land in Nelson worth peanuts that Pendle council are trying to buy but he wants 10 million . It will be the same if Burnley council try to buy the Keirby. Although closed I have heard that hourly rates may be available.

If they can't buy it, surely the council have the power to make the owner/s at least externally renovate and make it smarter?

[Clovius Boofus]

If they can't buy it, surely the council have the power to make the owner/s at least externally renovate and make it smarter?

If not, then the law requires changing.

[Stalbansclaret]

[quote="Big Vinny K" post_id=2323071 time=1713812440 user_id=
The hotel porter had a horrible traumatic experience with a local lothario (for those who can remember a certain previous thread on this board !!)
[/quote]

The greatest post ever on here. Can never forget it.

[MeeActon1]

If they can't buy it, surely the council have the power to make the owner/s at least externally renovate and make it smarter?

I don’t know. You would think so but looking at the state of some of the buildings around town, maybe they can’t or maybe the council can’t be bothered trying?

[gawthorpe_view]

[quote="Big Vinny K" post_id=2323071 time=1713812440 user_id=
The hotel porter had a horrible traumatic experience with a local lothario (for those who can remember a certain previous thread on this board !!)

The greatest post ever on here. Can never forget it.
[/quote]

Link please

[Bosscat]

The greatest post ever on here. Can never forget it.

Link please
[/quote]
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23497&hilit=Keirby#p582530

[gawthorpe_view]

Link please

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=23497&hilit=Keirby#p582530
[/quote]

[helmclaret]

That part of town needs totally regenerating.

The council should team up with JJ Watt and some other forward thinking people and do
something imaginative.

[dougcollins]

I don’t know. You would think so but looking at the state of some of the buildings around town, maybe they can’t or maybe the council can’t be bothered trying?

Councils have no money for litigation - the businesses know that and do as they please.

[Boss Hogg]

That part of town needs totally regenerating.

The council should team up with JJ Watt and some other forward thinking people and do
something imaginative.

Perhaps qualified Town Planners might be a better idea than JJ Watt

[atlantalad]

Perhaps qualified Town Planners might be a better idea than JJ Watt

I’d take my chances with what ever ideas JJ Watt comes up with given the mess of the road system in the town created by ‘qualified’ Town Planners.

[Carlos the Great]

Not sure can just knock it down ..it has a lot of phone masts on the roof that is probably generating the biggest revenue from the building which perhaps on long term deals

[bobinho]

Perhaps qualified Town Planners might be a better idea than JJ Watt

Have you been in Burnley town centre? Everything from Game to the Keirby is an absolute abomination, signed off by town planners in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s, so I’d be up for letting JJ have a go at it to be honest.

[AlargeClaret]

Be a tragedy if this palace of romance is finally razed..

[helmclaret]

Perhaps qualified Town Planners might be a better idea than JJ Watt

Yeah, because that has worked!

[mikeS]

Strange that his Wikipedia profile doesn't mention anything at all about Burnley.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Watt

[Bosscat]

Strange that his Wikipedia profile doesn't mention anything at all about Burnley.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._J._Watt

Yes it does ... look in the bio in personal life....

Screenshot_20240423_085359_Chrome.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 2383 times

[mikeS]

Apologies. Missed it among all the other info.

[ŽižkovClaret]

If its empty maybe it could benefit from a visit by a local pyromaniac. wouldn't be the first troublesome building to mysteriously go up in flames

[RicardoMontalban]

If its empty maybe it could benefit from a visit by a local pyromaniac. wouldn't be the first troublesome building to mysteriously go up in flames

So hard luck for the businesses below that will invariably be forced to close?

[ŽižkovClaret]

How many are below the Keiby now? i don't know, you might have taken my post a little too seriously.....

[RicardoMontalban]

How many are below the Keiby now? i don't know, you might have taken my post a little too seriously.....

Don’t worry, there was no danger of that.

Think they're all still occupied.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Don’t worry, there was no danger of that.

Think they're all still occupied.

Wasn't sure there was much there to occupy? Maybe Continentals and a car park?

I always liked the idea of turning that round cafe in the market square into a mexican place with a big sombrero trim on the roof

[RicardoMontalban]

Wasn't sure there was much there to occupy? Maybe Continentals and a car park?

I always liked the idea of turning that round cafe in the market square into a mexican place with a big sombrero trim on the roof

There’s the row of shops underneath at the front as well which, while not exactly Rodeo Drive, are still operating.

The cafe really needs to maximise its space ship aesthetic.

[MarkGreen]

There are definitely people living in it.

Whether or not they are there legally is another matter. - Light comes on in some rooms and curtains/blinds openeing and closing

[jrgbfc]

Whats the derelict old pub thats just about still standing next to Burnley central? Another complete eyesore that needs bulldozing.

[HahaYeah]

Whats the derelict old pub thats just about still standing next to Burnley central? Another complete eyesore that needs bulldozing.

Must be the Adelphi, or the Reindeer.

[HahaYeah]

Another eyesore near to the Keirby is next to the Coach and Horses a row with a taxi rank on it.

[dougcollins]

Coach and Horses had the best pool room in town, I assume it's just disused now.

[theonlywayisup]

I remember the post first time round. That link is comedy gold. Just hilarious.

[exilecanada]

I have good memories of The Keirby, late 60's early 70's. It was the meeting place for my cronies and myself to decide where we were going for the rest of the evening. Also to pop in for a drink after a movie.

[Lubanski]

One of the best sprung dancefloors, Northern soul nights in the early 2000s attracted top djs and packed the place.

[Darnhill Claret]

A girlfriend of mine was the bar manager there for a couple of months in 1989.