Last orders called at historic Burnley hotel (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Last orders called at historic Burnley hotel

4:24pm Friday 22nd January 2010 in

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A LANDMARK hotel in the heart of Burnley has closed its doors after it failed to attract a buyer.

The Sparrow Hawk Hotel, in Church Street, has been on the market for 18 months with a £595,000 price tag.

The bar, popular with Clarets fans and real ale lovers, was listed in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) guide.

It hosted a Thursday night quiz and Jazz sessions every Sunday.

John Ingham, of East Lancs CAMRA, said it was a ‘shame’ it had closed.

He said owner Jeff Mallinson took over more than eight years ago but business had probably suffered when the Travelodge and Holiday Inn hotels opened, off the M65, and the inflation of beer prices.

Mr Ingham added: “It was probably hit by the change to licensing hours. Because it was a hotel it had a later licence, until about 1am I think, and people including myself would often go there for a late drink, but now every-where opens late.

“It’s a real shame. I used to go in myself and spent Millennium Eve in there with friends who were regulars. It was one of my old haunts.”

The pub was also used as a venue during the Burnley Blues Festival.

Local historian and former mayor of Burnley Coun Roger Frost said the hotel site in Church Street was once the town centre with shops and a market hall before the current town centre was developed in the late 1700s.

The hotel’s name derives from the bird that can be seen in the Towneley coat of arms. But according to Coun Frost, before it was named The Sparr-ow Hawk around 1830, it was called the Towneley Arms.

He added: “It definitely is sad to see it close. It must be one of Burnley’s oldest pubs.”

A spokesman for Fleurets, which is managing the sale of the hotel, said it had now shut.

He confirmed the establishment, which has 35 en-suite rooms, a private flat, car park, bar and restaurant, is on the market for £595,000.

Attempts to contact Mr Mallinson at home were unsuccessful.