New lease of life for ‘crumbling gem’ Yeadon landmark (From Wharfedale Observer)
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New lease of life for ‘crumbling gem’ Yeadon landmark
10:00am Monday 4th February 2013 in News
Louise Robinson and Jenny Elstub outside Nunroyd House
An Aireborough landmark described as a “crumbling gem” is to re-open as a children’s nursery next month.
Nunroyd House was built in around 1890 for local mill owner and benefactor Jonathan Peate. It later became Brummel’s Nightclub before falling into disrepair.
The imposing building, in Nunroyd Park, was identified as in need of rescue last year by the conservation charity SAVE Britain’s Heritage.
The charity added the building to its national list of “gems” – historic buildings in need of repair.
It said: “Although unlisted, the Gothic revival building is an important local heritage asset and has been identified by the council as a positive building within the Yeadon Conservation Area.”
But the building, which has stood empty for more than eight years, has been lovingly restored after being bought by Louise Robinson and Jenny Elstub, who are opening the nursery.
Its new owners pledged to restore the building to its former glory, as well as providing childcare and jobs for the area.
Louise said the building had been in a desperate state of repair when they bought it but that work was now almost complete and they were preparing to open Pebbles nursery and pre-school at the end of February.
She said: “The building construction has only taken six months which has been amazing considering it was in such a bad state of repair and it has been winter months. In addition, we did find a lot of problems with the building as we expected.
“We didn’t know the full extent of the problems when placing our bids to the council as it was in complete darkness inside due to being boarded up.”
The nursery will hold an open fun day for all families, at 11am, on Saturday, March 2, with an official opening.
The building had lain empty for several years since its time as a nightclub.
During that time slates had been stripped from the roof, causing water damage.
