A consortium of local businessmen, many of whom were involved in the conception of Ilkley Beer Festival, have announced ambitious plans for the Wharfe Valley’s first brew pub in Ilkley.

A six-figure refurbishment project will include a major overhaul of The Albert Inn on Church Street and include the integration of a micro brewery in a barn in the back yard.

Bradford Council granted planning permission earlier this week and The Albert will close its doors for the last time on Saturday.

Work is due to start next week and it is hoped the new-look pub will open in June or July.

The pub will change its name to The Flying Duck in a link to its former title of the Mallard Inn and the brewery, which will predominantly serve the pub, will be called Wharfedale Brewery.

The Grade II-listed building is one of Ilkley’s oldest properties, having been built in 1709 as a farmhouse and is mentioned in Sir Nikolaus Pevsner’s “Buildings of England” chronicles for its architectural importance.

The majority of the group involved in the venture are former chairmen of Ilkley Round Table and include accountants, entrepreneurs, estate agents, IT specialists, scientists and the owner of an international bookmaker, within their ranks.

Award-winning brewer Stewart Ross, who is registered blind, is to act as brewery consultant. He remains unavailable for comment regarding the circumstances of his recent departure from Ilkley Brewery.

Spokesman for Flying Duck Enterprises Ltd, Jonathan Shepherd said: “We felt that there was a niche in the market to capitalise on the resurgence in the popularity of real ale by producing and selling our own beer in the kind of pub which has been sadly lacking in Ilkley.

“When looking for a premises, we were advised that the lease on the Albert was available, which with its 300-year history, provides an exact match with our plans to provide a Yorkshire Dales-style real ale and fine wine venue in a setting packed with character which the community will be proud of.”

The pub aims to offer nine cask ales, including three brewed on the premises, draught ciders, lagers, a selection of bottled beers from around the world and an extensive range of fine wines and malt whiskies.

Keep up to date with the progress at facebook.com/wharfedalebrewery