The Liquorice Bush
| Liquorice Bush | |
|---|---|
The Liquorice Bush, Market Place | |
Interactive map of the Liquorice Bush area | |
| Former names | The Tankard Inn |
| General information | |
| Status | Open |
| Location | West Yorkshire, 8 Market Place, Pontefract, England |
| Coordinates | 53°41′31″N 1°18′37″W / 53.6919°N 1.3102°W |
| Estimated completion | c. late 18th century |
| Other information | |
| Public transit access | Pontefract Baghill (nearest station) |
The Liquorice Bush is a grade II listed public house in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It is believed that the pub is the only one in Great Britain with this name.
History
The pub was built in the late 18th century as a house but was converted into a pub in the middle of the 19th century.[1]
The pub is located on Market Place in Pontefract town centre which is part of a conservation area, and is closest to Pontefract Baghill railway station.[2][3] The building was grade II listed in 1975 as the Tankard Inn,[4] and it is thought that the name of the venue changed during a renovation in the late 1970s or early 1980s. Between 2011 and 2018, it was one of many buildings in the conservation area that the council spent money on to improve and enhance the area and attract new business.[5] An application to renovate the pub was submitted in August 2025 and the planning documents Wakefield Council described the building as having a "high architectural value."[6] It is believed that the name Liquorice Bush is unique among British pub-names.[7]
The pub takes its name from Pontefract's association with the growing and production of liquorice. The pub featured on the BBC's One Show in 2008 alongside other areas and themes in Pontefract on the subject of liquorice.[8]
See also
References
- ^ "A look at the £1.5m restoration work in town's Market Place". Wakefield Express. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ Evans, Jeff, ed. (1993). Good beer guide 1994 (21 ed.). St Albans: Campaign for Real Ale. p. 345. ISBN 1852490063.
- ^ Mitchinson, James, ed. (29 August 2025). "Plans to renovate pub that celebrates liquorice links". The Yorkshire Post. p. 3. ISSN 0963-1496.
- ^ Historic England. "8, Market Place (Grade II) (1313287)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ "A scheme to preserve 27 historic buildings in Pontefract has been completed". Foreign Affairs. 8 November 2018. Gale A561359527.
- ^ Gardner, Tony (27 August 2025). "Refurbishment plans for listed Pontefract liquorice pub". BBC News. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ White, Andrew (2014). The AA guide to Yorkshire. Basingstoke: AA Publishing. p. 220. ISBN 9780749576011.
- ^ Gerrard, David (2008). The hidden places of Yorkshire: including the Yorkshire Dales, moors and coast. Aldermaston: Travel Publishing. p. 328. ISBN 9781904434764.