Sarah joins fight for Whitelocks

Sarah Whitelock wants the family history at Whitelocks preserved

The last remaining member of the Whitelock dynasty in Leeds is calling for the family pub that bears her name to be preserved.

Whitelocks, off Briggate, has been taken over by the Spirit Group, and changes including an overhaul of the traditional menu has outraged locals.

Now they and Sarah Whitelock, 54, fear the end of the traditional boozer.

Her great grandfather, William, bought it in 1880, altered it in 1886, and little has changed at Whitelocks since.

Ms Whitelock said the pub was a major part of Leeds' history which would be destroyed if it was turned into a generic bar.

"It has a ready-made history and it is a fascinating one and very much for the people of Leeds," she said.

Bohemian life

Whitelocks dates back to 1715 and lists John Betjeman, Yorkshire cricket star Sir Len Hutton and writer Keith Waterhouse among its visitors.

Yorkshire cricket star Sir Len Hutton (right) at Whitelocks in 1938

One regular in the 1930s was Nellie Pickering, now 100, who remembers Whitelocks as the centre of the city's bohemian life.

"It was a very lively time during the 1930s and very lovely because it was a meeting place for intellectuals and journalists and university people," she said.

Barrie Pepper, the Leeds-based beer writer, said it was the oldest continuously running pub in the centre.

"It is the best loved pub in Leeds and people all over the world will tell you this," he said.

Members of the Campaign for Real Ale are trying to meet Spirit Group to ascertain the pub's future.

"Leeds is absolutely stuffed full of bars that are just chains, that are rebadged as something else every six months," said Tony Jenkins of Leeds Camra.

Whitelocks is one of the best known alleyway pubs in Leeds

"Turning this pub into another one of those would be a disaster."

A Spirit Group spokesman said the "minor" refurbishment was intended to create a better atmosphere for customers and stressed that local pubs were at the heart of its estate.

"Initial reception from our customers has been extremely positive," he said.