The Dog Inn at the bottom end of town was a less than salubrious hostelry that was known for drunkenness and ladies of ill repute.

It was located off Dog Yard at the bottom of Kirkgate, on the site of what is now Oldgate House, opened in 1797 and closed in 1910.

David Senior, of Kirkheaton, said his great-great-grandfather, a chap called Percival, was landlord in the 1860s and asked for information about the place. Now pub historian Dave Green has revealed its full history. It was owned by Thomas Marshall from the Globe Brewery in King Street.

He says: “It would appear the house was known for its own-brewed beer and sold it by the barrel, especially on a Sunday, which was a day for drinking. It was well noted for customers to be falling over each other, lying on the floors drunk, stretched out on tables and lying in the gutter outside.”

Over the years it had many landlords and when owner Thomas Marshall died in 1853 it was taken over by John Sunderland Tolson, of the same family that presented their house at Ravensknowle as a museum to Huddersfield.

“The final licensee, Michael Prendicast, was hauled before the Licensing Justices for allowing ladies of a certain character and personality to habitually assemble, taking far too long over their refreshments.”

He lost his license and the pub closed on April 11, 1907.

Dave also found records for a beer house called The Dog Inn on Wakefield Road, Moldgreen, situated where the modern gymnasium now stands that was previously a BMW garage.

It opened in 1842 and the license was taken by Alan Ellis in 1883, who also made cabinets at the rear with his son John Thomas.

“He was so successful that his company, J T Ellis, is still in business today as furniture and cabinet makers.”

Ale continued to be served at the front of house until the pub closed in 1913 and became the workshop.

Many thanks to Dave for another scholarly dissertation on pubs of the past. He adds he would have responded sooner but was in Australia seeing his latest grandson for the first time.

He says it was the most expensive cuddle he’s ever had — and worth every penny.