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Description:
Undated.
View of Bridge Road, looking in the direction of Bramley from the junction with Commercial Road (left) and Abbey Road (right). The Star and Garter Hotel is on the left at number 5 Bridge Road. Built in the 18th century, it was a former stagecoach inn located beside the mill race at the junction of the old Leeds-Bradford (1734) and Leeds-Kendal (1753) turnpike roads. The name 'Star and Garter' comes from 'The Order of the Garter' which has the symbol of a star as part of the insignia. To the right, the stable and carriage house range is visible. The famous actress, Mrs. Sarah Siddons is believed to have stayed at the inn in 1807 when playing at the Leeds Theatre in Hunslet Lane, although there is some dispute about this as, after performing there in 1786, she announced to her audience "Farewell ye brutes, and forever, I trust; ye shall never torture me again!". By 1826 the inn was being used as a meeting place for local woollen manufacturers. (Parson's Directory lists William Briggs of Hill Top, John Clayton of Moor End and Elijah Cobham of Height Lane as 'attending' the Star and Garter.) Henry Lister, whose name is on the pub sign, was licensee between about 1903 and the early 1930s. He had taken over from his father, George, who was listed as hotel proprietor on the 1901 census, aged 55, while Henry, aged 28, was a hotel worker. George Lister is recorded at the inn from as far back as 1882. The hotel continued as the Star and Garter for many years but by the late 1970s it had become the Bar-Celona public house. More recently, other occupants have included Raphael's Cabaret Bar and an entertainment complex called Funtazia Entertainment Centre. Nowadays, this Grade II listed building is occupied by the kitchen design and installation company, Poggenpohl. On the right the single storey stone building houses public lavatories and a drinking fountain is visible at the right edge. Off camera, right, just beyond these, situated on Abbey Road, were the Police Station and Kirkstall Branch Library.
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