SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Seems like it's under new ownership.I hope it's a success but I doubt it.What a pity that it can't be moved a couple of miles into the centre of Leeds where it would really take off http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 6394575.jp

There is a report about the Garden Gate pub on page 21 of tonight's Yorkshire Evening Post (or should I say today's YEP as it comes out so early!). Though similar contents to the linked report above it does have a picture of the new landlords.

Interesting news. Mine host is apparently only 22, according to the article.I wish them well. A historic old pub, one of the finest of it's kind, just sadly in the wrong place now.I really, really hope they can make it work, but I can't help think that the fine people of the Leeds Brewery might face one of their biggest challenges here.

They need a courtesy bus!

It would be better if it was not hidden from the road too. Unfortunately it's in a poor position for any kind of trade other than local. I wish it well but it's unlikely unless they have a very innovative business plan.    

Well it used to be on the main road at one time (Waterloo Road?). Anyway a friend of mine had it after he left the THT and has now called it a day. It was a nice little pub and served a great pint.

Did a walking crawl of the four Leeds Brewery Pubs yesterday [17/07/10], starting in the Garden Gate.I assume that the Garden Gate had become a liability to Punch who had a listed pub in a poorer part of town, with a declining clientele. The building needs a lot of TLC which Punches managers/leasees were unable, or unwilling, to do. You cannot alter the interior, or demolish the building and the Garden Gate is a bit too high profile to have an interesting fire. The pub wasn't paying so I assume that the only way out was to sell on the pub to someone else, as a pub. The couple who are running it are very clued up are well aware of what needs doing. There has been as massive amount of work done already with 20 years or so of being un-loved to be undone. They have filled a skip with junk and the wheelie bin is getting filled each week. The interior tiles are going to be cleaned and redecoration will be done as time and finance allows. The main thing was to get the pub serviceable, beer on sale and start generating an income.We had a tour of the massive cellar which sports a number of rooms including changing facilities for a rugby team complete with showers!I would advise anyone to pay a visit now and keep on going back to see how a young enthusiastic couple make a go of something. There is a lot of scope to make the place a destination pub of distinction.The three main Leeds beers were on, Pale, Best & Midnight Bell, the current Leeds guest, Two Halves and Tetley Mild [brewed by Marston’s].Although tucked away the pub is easy to get to by public transport. Basically any First Service to Hunslet Shopping Centre [Middleton/Belle Isle Circle] or Arriva service from Leeds to Wakefield/Castleford/Pontefract and a short walk to the pub.The only way that Leeds Brewery will succeed with the Garden Gate is by us supporting the business. If this works then the company may be able to buy more pubs and start giving customers a quality product that they deserve.Iain

Yes,The Garden Gate was once on the main road, together with a few others! One a bit lower down Waterloo Road was mistakenly named The Swan With Two Necks, with a painted sign depicting a swan with two inter-twining necks! It was originally named for the old system of swan-upping. Nowadays the swans are ringed for identification, but for many years previously the swans were "claimed" by the owners by"nicking" the beaks. Swans with two nicks were owned by the King.I have spent many hours in T'Gate in the past; I live too far away now.My grandfather, Thomas Dickinson, practically lived in the place! In those days it was "One of Tetley's Houses". My family lived in Beatrice Terrace, facing The Bay Horse.

Loafy wrote: Yes,The Garden Gate was once on the main road, together with a few others! One a bit lower down Waterloo Road was mistakenly named The Swan With Two Necks, with a painted sign depicting a swan with two inter-twining necks! It was originally named for the old system of swan-upping. Nowadays the swans are ringed for identification, but for many years previously the swans were "claimed" by the owners by"nicking" the beaks. Swans with two nicks were owned by the King.I have spent many hours in T'Gate in the past; I live too far away now.My grandfather, Thomas Dickinson, practically lived in the place! In those days it was "One of Tetley's Houses". My family lived in Beatrice Terrace, facing The Bay Horse. This two necks/two nicks theory has been mentioned on S.L. before - but it would seem to be an urban myth - if you were on 'Q.I.' and said this a big sign saying 'two nicks' would appear behind you and you'd lose points!!All the historical evidence (e'g advertising, maps, trade directories etc) show that the various pubs throughout the country that are or have been called 'the Swan with Two Necks' - have always been called just that - there are just no records to support the 'nicks' theory - attractive though it is    

Long time since i drank in "The GATE" is it open again,must pay a visit ,remember drinking in there at 9a.m one Sunday ----i told Pam i,d popped out for a News of the World!!                         T.C.