The Keirby

[Inchy]

I’m no engineer but surely it will be at risk of collapse at some point? Wouldn’t the owner be forced to do something about it then?

[Funkydrummer]

I know, they could knock it down and use the land to
build a roundabout. It's crying out for one just at that
location.

I'm 71 though, so may not see it finished.

[Clovius Boofus]

Just think, though. Having a functioning roundabout, that allowed the traffic to flow freely, would be a great Levelling Up project for the area. It could even have some mature trees in the middle to add to the aesthetics.

[Rowls]

I’m no engineer but surely it will be at risk of collapse at some point? Wouldn’t the owner be forced to do something about it then?

Parts of the building might drop off (windows etc) but structurally it should be solid. It'll be a devil to demolish most likely.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Could be something to be achieved by getting one of the Premier Inn / Travelodge types involved and have them demolish it and replace with one of their modular builds that they can chuck up in no time.

We have one of each atm but the Travelodge is a bit out of the way, although handy for the motorway

[bfcjg]

Parts of the building might drop off (windows etc) but structurally it should be solid. It'll be a devil to demolish most likely.

Hmmm. A local company called Howarths built it as well as a lot of the town centre. I recall one of the builders I was working alongside recalling when they worked on the Keirby,the basement is a slab and ring beams and from this concrete pillars supported the ground floor, when the steel went in and shuttering formed the concrete mix wasn't as specified but it was a case of oh sod it. It's lasted until now though despite the attempts of a certain poster sending minor earthquake tremors down through the building every Saturday night

[bfcjg]

I'm surprised it hasn't been turned into flats.

[ElectroClaret]

Could be something to be achieved by getting one of the Premier Inn / Travelodge types involved and have them demolish it and replace with one of their modular builds that they can chuck up in no time.

We have one of each atm but the Travelodge is a bit out of the way, although handy for the motorway

Although not a bad idea, i think the main problem there would be parking.

[Clovius Boofus]

Although not a bad idea, i think the main problem there would be parking.

This is why it's a none-starter. Same with the Sparrow. If the Sparrow had a large safe and secure car park, it would have been refurbished and still being run as a hotel. It's a lovely building, but I dread what's going to happen to it.

[dandeclaret]

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.

So we can judge that in 50, 60, 70 years as well>

[GetIntoEm]

town centre looks as good as any in my eyes. The turf to town project will only improve on that

[bobinho]

So we can judge that in 50, 60, 70 years as well>

Yep, there’s a chance we’d be judging more favourably than we are judging what we’ve been left with….

The real point here is that the “developed” areas of the town centre are a mess, and haven’t aged well. The library, the court, the boot inn, etc have aged significantly better. Some of our town centre is actually visually stunning.

[Rowls]

So we can judge that in 50, 60, 70 years as well>

It didn't take 50 years for the Keirby to look dreadful. It looked dreadful from the day it was conceived.

[Jamesy]

It didn't take 50 years for the Keirby to look dreadful. It looked dreadful from the day it was conceived.

The Swiss Corner pub attached to it was ok in the old days. Met a few pretty girls in there.

[Rowls]

The Swiss Corner pub attached to it was ok in the old days. Met a few pretty girls in there.

It's possible to have great times inside of awful buildings but it doesn't redeem the buildings.

The Keirby was ugly and atrocious from conception. The sooner it's torn down the better.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Although not a bad idea, i think the main problem there would be parking.

Could easily dig out more underground parking. They could also get a deal to park on a portion of the old Sainsburys site

[Clovius Boofus]

Could easily dig out more underground parking. They could also get a deal to park on a portion of the old Sainsburys site

There's not enough space to create the ramp length and gradient for basement parking, and even if there was, it would be way too expensive and wouldn't be cost-effective - central London or Manc, yes, Burnley, not a chance. The second one is also a no-no - the car park is well-used and not much spare capacity on the busiest shopping days.

[ŽižkovClaret]

There's not enough space to create the ramp length and gradient for basement parking, and even if there was, it would be way too expensive and wouldn't be cost-effective - central London or Manc, yes, Burnley, not a chance. The second one is also a no-no - the car park is well-used and not much spare capacity on the busiest shopping days.

Bit of creative thinking is needed.

Take about 20 spaces worth, build a few tiers of cheap car park, return the spaces back to the shopping centre after construction, and you have 80 or so spaces across 4 or 5 decks of car park.

[Clovius Boofus]

Bit of creative thinking is needed.

Take about 20 spaces worth, build a few tiers of cheap car park, return the spaces back to the shopping centre after construction, and you have 80 or so spaces across 4 or 5 decks of car park.

I've said my bit. I'm not going to waste my time any further by quibbling about something that ain't ever going to happen.

[ŽižkovClaret]

I've said my bit. I'm not going to waste my time any further by quibbling about something that ain't ever going to happen.

Haha fair enough. Shite that will never happen is 90% of the content this board mind........

[Clovius Boofus]

Haha fair enough. Shite that will never happen is 90% of the content this board mind........

Oh, I agree, and it's why I avoid those threads.

[ChrisG]

There's not enough space to create the ramp length and gradient for basement parking, and even if there was, it would be way too expensive and wouldn't be cost-effective - central London or Manc, yes, Burnley, not a chance. The second one is also a no-no - the car park is well-used and not much spare capacity on the busiest shopping days.

I disagree with the ramp length and gradient issue, it's a decent size site and I've worked on schemes with smaller footprints where it works.

The issue as you say is more cost related, however if they are demolishing it anyway, it's not too much more of an effort to excavate a basement as you'll need to clear out the existing piles anyway.

[shulgin]

Always remember that classic romantic post from the guy who took a girl back and the porter watched on in the doorway.

[Dark Cloud]

Spending all that time and money (and disruption!) on the (still unfinished!) "Town to Turf" scheme to (allegedly) lift the entire route, does seem rather daft when that monstrous eyesore is still plonked right in the middle of it.

[chipbutty]

There's not enough space to create the ramp length and gradient for basement parking, and even if there was, it would be way too expensive and wouldn't be cost-effective - central London or Manc, yes, Burnley, not a chance. The second one is also a no-no - the car park is well-used and not much spare capacity on the busiest shopping days.

You do know that there already is underground parking beneath the Keirby?

[chipbutty]

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

I worked there in 89, which bar?

[Loyalclaret]

You do know that there already is underground parking beneath the Keirby?

Now you mention it, are there big metal bi-folding doors further around from the Swiss Cottage 🫣

[mikeS]

Don't know why the owners would let the Kierby just decay for years. They can't be making any money on it.
It was one of the top hotels in the area in the sixties. Had a top French chef there when it opened.

[Dark Cloud]

When I was a student (circa 1975) I worked there as a part time waiter doing evenings and weekends and although I only really frequented the kitchens, banqueting suite, restaurant and bar on the first floor it was always busy and "front of house" was rather posh. Behind the scenes was a bit different tbf. We got some well healed and well known guests at times, including football teams heading to the Turf. I think we once got a bit of a crowd outside when a rumour went round that The Bay City Rollers were going to be staying ahead of gigs in Manchester, but it really was only a rumour as they certainly didn't come. It's a real shame what's happened to it, but something definitely has to be done one way or another.

[HitchinClaret]

I worked there in 89, which bar?

Were you a porter??

[Clovius Boofus]

You do know that there already is underground parking beneath the Keirby?

No I didn't, but thanks for that. I thought it was for servicing. I didn't realise it was also an underground car park. How many cars would you say it could park?

[Dark Cloud]

No I didn't, but thanks for that. I thought it was for servicing. I didn't realise it was also an underground car park. How many cars would you say it could park?

Not many. I've been in it occasionally and it's like a miniature game of tetras.

[dushanbe]

As I understand it, the hotel building and shops underneath have different owners, so demolishing it isn't as easy as it sounds.

[MeeActon1]

Not many. I've been in it occasionally and it's like a miniature game of tetras.

That area was mainly used as access for deliveries, all the kitchen stores were down there. Accessed via a lift from the kitchen. I was a chef there in 1988.

[Clovius Boofus]

Not many. I've been in it occasionally and it's like a miniature game of tetras.

That area was mainly used as access for deliveries, all the kitchen stores were down there. Accessed via a lift from the kitchen. I was a chef there in 1988.

Thanks for that. Yeah, I thought it might be for servicing the site.

[Clovius Boofus]

Broad Street Plaza in Halifax shows what can be done. Before the site was redeveloped, it was a rundown Netto that looked more like a prison than a supermarket. Granted, the site is much bigger, but something along the lines of the Broad Street Plaza, but on a much smaller scale, would transform the whole area around the Keirby.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=broad ... 20&bih=546

[fatboy47]

Keep the Keirby..it suits the town..fits in well..stop trying to polish a turd.

Its Burnley, not Barcelona...embrace our identity.

[Steve1956]

Great Knocking shop.

[ecc]

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

It is now officially haunted. A new stream of revenue for the town?

[Goliath]

Keep the Keirby..it suits the town..fits in well..stop trying to polish a turd.

Its Burnley, not Barcelona...embrace our identity.

Thats one way of looking at it

[ŽižkovClaret]

Broad Street Plaza in Halifax shows what can be done. Before the site was redeveloped, it was a rundown Netto that looked more like a prison than a supermarket. Granted, the site is much bigger, but something along the lines of the Broad Street Plaza, but on a much smaller scale, would transform the whole area around the Keirby.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=broad ... 20&bih=546

TBF if youre gonna do a big demolition, you should get rid of the buildings opposite the bus station from Planet Pizza through to the old Moonlight kebab gaff. Open it up into a huge outdoor market / event space

[Jamesy]

It's possible to have great times inside of awful buildings but it doesn't redeem the buildings.

The Keirby was ugly and atrocious from conception. The sooner it's torn down the better.

Can’t really argue with this. Prince Charles would have called it a “carbuncle” if he had seen it, even in its heyday.

[chipbutty]

That area was mainly used as access for deliveries, all the kitchen stores were down there. Accessed via a lift from the kitchen. I was a chef there in 1988.

I left school in 1988 and was a chef there too, doing my YTS! We must know each other!

[chipbutty]

No I didn't, but thanks for that. I thought it was for servicing. I didn't realise it was also an underground car park. How many cars would you say it could park?

Probably about 20 if I remember correctly.
All the spaces are well tight though due to loads of concrete pillars

[chipbutty]

Were you a porter??

No, I left school and started as a trainee chef on YTS

[Darnhill Claret]

Chipbutty, ground level bar, to the left as you enter.

[Tw@]

I rattled an assistant manager there in 1994, met her in the club that is behind where cork house is now, she took me back to the Kierby and that is all I’m saying about this matter, except that she was a bit rough!

[chipbutty]

Cotton's Bar. Mainly a residents only bar. Had an old fashioned, electric buffer type shoe cleaner on the way in!

[Darnhill Claret]

That sounds like it.

[atlantalad]

Surprised at the number on the forum who have worked in the hotel.

While in 6th form I worked in the Swiss Corner back in 1973/4 at weekends and occasionally worked late in the hotel function room if there was an event on. Swiss Corner used to be manic on Friday and Saturdays. Most of the patrons made their way across to the Cats at closing time 11:15. Recall the place being dimly lit, had a duke box and was always packed - hardly room to drink a pint they’d be that many people in.


Recall a great French guy ‘Giles’ was the hotel manager. A less likeable small Scottish guy … who always seemed half pi - - ed ran the bars.

Great days. Progressed to working in the 110 Club later in 74- much easier life for 50p/ hr. ( Pint was 16 p back then).