Cottingley Arms to be demolished

A pub that’s been closed for the last few years is set to be demolished. The Sphynx, AKA The Cottingley Arms,had become the focus for anti social behaviour, graffiti and vandalism.

It’s not clear how much of a loss this will be to Cottingley. Pubs are struggling throughout the city and one comment on the Secret Leeds website described it as the “roughest pub in Leeds”. Let us know what you think by adding a comment below.

After the demolition, Leeds City Council will seed the area  in the short term, and are to work with Aire Valley Homes Leeds and area management to identify funds to extend the landscaping scheme just finished at the back of Cottingley Vale Shopping Centre.

Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods, housing and regeneration said:

“This is a good result for all groups concerned. The Tenant’s Residents Association Cottingley (TRAC), Aire Valley Homes and local ward members have been campaigning for this for a long time and this is a great result.

“The removal of this pub will get rid of what has become an eye sore in the area, and also reduce anti-social behaviour around the site.”

Councillor Angela Gabriel,  inner south area committee chair said:

“I am very pleased that this pub is to be demolished in the near future. It has been the site of antisocial behaviour for the past two years, and it is time that a stop is put on this.

“I know residents in the local area will be pleased to see the empty site demolished, and hopefully we will be able to look into landscaping the site at a later date.”

Picture credit: Yorkshire Evening Post