One of Keighley’s most prominent historic buildings will soon be brought back into use, with work progressing well on the refurbishment of the former Victoria Hotel on Cavendish Street.
The landmark 19th-century building is undergoing a major transformation, with significant progress already made onsite. Internal strip-out works have been completed, while extensive rewiring, plastering and other restoration works are now taking place as the building is prepared for its next chapter.
The project has been supported by a grant from the Keighley Towns Fund, and will see the historic building fully refurbished to provide three commercial units on the ground floor and ten one- and two-bedroom apartments across the first and second floors.
Plans, approved in 2025, show that the entrance to two of the commercial units and the apartments will front onto Cavendish Street, while the third commercial unit will be accessed from East Parade.
Building on a key heritage asset
Bradford Council’s executive member for economy, regeneration and planning, Cllr Andrew Judson, said: “It’s great to see work progressing so well on the Victoria Hotel building. This is an important building in a prime location in the centre of Keighley and we know it’s been frustrating for local people to see such a key heritage asset standing empty for so long.”
He added: “With significant restoration work now completed and more taking place every week, the building is really starting to come back to life. It’s great to see this local landmark on track to return to productive use and playing an important role in the wider regeneration of Keighley town centre.”
Tim Rogers, chair of the Keighley Towns Fund, said: “The Victoria Hotel project is another example of how Towns Fund investment is helping to deliver long-term improvements for Keighley. It’s particularly encouraging to see the work now well advanced, with completion expected this year.”
He added: “The refurbishment will bring new homes and commercial opportunities into the heart of the town and complements other successful regeneration projects already delivered through the Towns Fund, including nearby Providence Park and the new visitor centre in the water tower at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway station.”
The Keighley Towns Fund is an allocation of £33.6 million of government funding to drive sustainable economic regeneration, supporting improvements to the town centre, creating jobs and training opportunities, and delivering wider cultural and social benefits for Keighley.
