Black Bull closed down

[Spitfire]

Well, Once again there is no need to change the title of the thread.

The `for sale` notice has gone up YET again and a planning application has been submitted to build houses on the car park.

Just what it is with this place? It`s my nearest pub and the catchment area must rate as one of the largest for a Leyland pub. yet!!!! it has consistently failed to entice people through it`s doors.

I have really tried to give it my custom over the years but found it to be one of the most soulless and depressing places imaginable.

Yet again, I drove past it (very carefully) last night on our way to the Midge Hall, where we had to reserve a table a week ago. The Midge is in the middle of nowhere, yet it was packed to the rafters. Why?

[noel]

there was a report in the LEP that the former steward was being taken to court for serving after hours and faced a large fine and possible jail sentence.

[Caroline]

One reason why a lot of pubs are closing down...
Landlords to vote on strike over pub company charges

Thousands of pub landlords could go on strike in the New Year in an attempt to cut back on the amount of money they have to pay to large pub-owning companies.

The GMB union said landlords working on ‘tied’ contracts with companies like Marston’s, Punch Taverns and Enterprise Inns would be balloted on industrial action.

The GMB union said it was campaigning to secure cuts of £12,000 in payments to the pubcos - which lease thousands of pubs to landlords.

The union said landlords had to buy beer at a premium rate, claiming that many were being forced to give up their job or were were going bust.

There are an estimated 25,000 tied tenants of the seven largest ‘pubcos’ and the union claimed they were being charged up to double the wholesale price of beer.

GMB national officer Paul Maloney said: "In furtherance of the trade dispute in tied pubs, GMB will organise a nationwide official ballot in the New Year to seek a mandate for official industrial action by tied tenant members in the industry. If members vote for action pubs will lower prices to customers during the dispute.

"The aim of the action by the tied tenants is to secure negotiation with pubcos to achieve very substantial cuts in wholesale prices and a resolution to a wide range of grievances experienced by the tied tenants at the hands of the pubcos middle managers and their agents."

The GMB said that, using figures from an Office of Fair Trading report, it estimated that running a tied pub cost £12,000 more than a free house.

The union said pubcos were making millions of pounds in profits so could afford to charge lower wholesale prices.

[jukiebopper]

quote:

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Originally posted by Spitfire

Judging by the lack of vehicles one used to see on the car-park - it could have been closed for years.
That pub died when it was bought by a chain and modernised, longer ago than I care to remember. Prior to that I spent many years as a member of the darts team - when it was a REAL pub.
Although it`s my local, I havn`t been in there more than a couple of times in the last 10 years.
I`m afraid that the Dunkirk is no better. We called in a few Sundays ago and a more depressing atmosphere would be hard to find. Four customers (including ourselves). They must be loosing money hand-over-fist. Again, many years ago, you would be hard pressed to find a seat, even on a Sunday.
A sign of the times perhaps? It begs the question - if the Midge can succeed - why not the others?

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The Red Bull has re opened its doors this evening under new management. Come down and join Christine & Kurt for a friendly drink!
They have lots of plans and ideas for the pub and would welcome any ideas from the locals.
They only took over on Wednesday and have spent 3 full days and nights scrubbing & cleaning it ready for the opening night. Only open for drinks at the moment but the restaurant side will be opening shortly..
They cant wait to welcome & meet locals both new & old....
Christine is the Northwest Womens Darts Champion so rest assure she will be putting together a men & womens darts team as a matter of priority so get down there and sign up for it!! []

[Spitfire]

Is that a typo, or are Red Bull moving out of Formula 1 ? []