A CAMPAIGN has started to try and save a landmark Bradford pub from closure.

Haigy's, on Lumb Lane, is up for sale because current landlady Yvonne Haig wants to retire.

The real ale pub is particularly popular with Bradford City fans who visit on matchdays. It was made notorious in the TV series Band of Gold, which revolved around the lives of women living and working in Bradford's red light district.

Now, Bantams supporter Ricky Holden and a group of friends have formed a committee to try and save the famous hostelry.

"It would be a sad day if Haigy's was to close its doors as a pub permanently," said Mr Holden. "It is an iconic claret and amber-clad beacon of continuity in the ever-changing scene that is Manningham."

Mr Holden added: "Haigy's has been ever-present in the Good Beer Guide for too many years to remember, serving an eclectic bunch of customers from pensioners, GBLT footballers, quizzers, pub-games league teams and, of course, the huge number of City supporters who descend in droves on every match day.

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"Whilst there is no doubt that trade, as with all pubs, could be better, the current owner Yvonne Haig is ready for retirement from the industry hence the sale. It's a shame because she has done a marvellous job as landlady following the tragic early death of her husband David a few years ago. Whilst David has been greatly missed Yvonne, Philip and the rest of the Haigy's crew have not let the standards slip providing customers with what they want at reasonable prices consistently.

"With all this in mind a group of us have got together with the hope of saving Haigy's. A steering group has been set up and elected a management committee for the campaign.

"Obviously the easiest way to resolve the issue would be for a white knight to sally forth and buy out Yvonne and keep the pub going. How about it local brewers and businessmen/entrepreneurs?

"Failing that we will see if we can raise the money ourselves via a co-operative in order to buy the pub."

Current landlady Yvonne, 66, said: "The campaign is nothing to do with me, I just want to sell up and retire.

"I'd like to see it stay as a pub, but it's not particularly economically viable at the moment.

"With all this carry on people think the pub is already closed, but it’ll be open until I get a suitable offer."

Mr Holden added: "Bradford has lost many pubs and with the changes of population demographics that is quite understandable in most cases. I do not believe Haigy's falls into the same group as most of the pubs we've lost. The pub is an iconic part of Bradford."