A landmark of West Yorkshire’s cultural heritage for more than a century, the Keighley Picture House is set to be sold at auction this month with a guide price of £110,000.
The freehold property, purpose-built as a cinema in 1913, still operates as a two-screen, 400-seat venue. It is being sold with a current passing rent of £12,000 a year. The tenant remains in place after the lease expired in 2021, allowing a new owner to increase rental income or potentially redevelop the site in future, subject to vacant possession and planning consent.
The cinema has had recent upgrades, including new Pullman seating, Dolby Surround sound and air conditioning. It sits in a prominent location on the A629 near Keighley town centre, surrounded by a mix of commercial and residential buildings.
Will Thompson, director at Pugh, said: “Opportunities to acquire such a well-known and historically significant property are rare. The Picture House is woven into the fabric of Keighley life and most people in the town will have memories of visiting it, whether to watch the latest cinema release or to see one of the live music events it has hosted over the years.
“From an investment perspective, it’s a solid asset with immediate income and clear scope for growth, whether through rent review or future redevelopment. It’s not often you can buy something that’s both a viable commercial proposition and a tangible piece of local heritage.”
Opened during cinema’s golden age, the Picture House has shown silent films, wartime newsreels and modern blockbusters. In the mid-20th century it also hosted live performances from artists such as Billy Fury and Marty Wilde.
The Keighley Picture House will be auctioned online by Pugh on 27 August alongside more than 90 other properties and land plots. New lots are being added daily at www.pugh-auctions.com.
