£40,000 facelift for Nelson historic pub

2:30pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

£40,000 facelift for Nelson historic pub £40,000 facelift for Nelson historic pub

AN iconic Pendle pub is set for a £40,000 investment as it searches for a new landlord.

The 350-year-old Shooters Arms, in Southfield Lane, Nelson, is seeking new tenants as it looks to continue its rich history.

Blackburn-based brewery Thwaites is interviewing two potential candidates to take over the hostelry, which was built in 1660.

In the 1970s and 80s, the popular rural pub was run by Clarets legend Tommy Cummings.

Southfield ward councillor Sheila Wicks said: “It is a pub that has always been quite popular, even during the winter when it is not as easy to get to because of the colder weather and its location. It has had some very well known landlords over the years and I hope someone else can come in and keep it open.

“I wouldn’t want to see it close.

“We have lost quite a few pubs in Nelson recently so we don’t want to lose another one. All we have now is the Bull, the Lord Nelson, the Station, the Thatch and Thistle and the Prince of Wales.

“A lot have closed down but this is an iconic pub in this area so I hope someone can make a go of it.”

Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations at Thwaites, said: “We are currently at the interview stage with two potential candidates, and will be investing about £40,000 to refurbish the interior of the Shooters Arms.

“It’s important we retain the Shooters Arms’ current customer base and so we’re committed to finding the right tenants who will be popular with locals and who have the skills to drive the business forward.”

The pub is advertised for rent on the Thwaites website, which also suggests it could be developed to include a food offering.

The Shooters remains open while new tenants are sought.

Comments (3)

8:04pm Thu 21 Mar 13

M Foster says...

This is my local pub, has been for over 40 years, but sad to say, Thwaites beer does nothing for me so I travel a little further afield (Colne) to enjoy a greater variety of superb real ale, usually at a lower cost. It has a fantastic view of Pendleside and it was a sorry sight last to see it closed and all in darkness last time around. I believe it would be much more popular if it was not a tied pub and was able to sell a variety of real ales from the many other breweries that exist. Good luck to the new landlords and those leaving. I wish Thwaites would move into the highly successful, specialised, micro-brewery industry and I know of an available old building for sale in Samlesbury Bottoms which would, to me, (as I told it's owners) make a perfect location for one.
This is my local pub, has been for over 40 years, but sad to say, Thwaites beer does nothing for me so I travel a little further afield (Colne) to enjoy a greater variety of superb real ale, usually at a lower cost. It has a fantastic view of Pendleside and it was a sorry sight last to see it closed and all in darkness last time around. I believe it would be much more popular if it was not a tied pub and was able to sell a variety of real ales from the many other breweries that exist. Good luck to the new landlords and those leaving. I wish Thwaites would move into the highly successful, specialised, micro-brewery industry and I know of an available old building for sale in Samlesbury Bottoms which would, to me, (as I told it's owners) make a perfect location for one. M Foster

10:15pm Thu 21 Mar 13

I Love Nelson! says...

As far as I can tell, the pub already has tenants, but they have just been priced out of business by the greed of the brewery.
As far as I can tell, the pub already has tenants, but they have just been priced out of business by the greed of the brewery. I Love Nelson!

10:25pm Thu 21 Mar 13

Philip A Berry says...

Just when the pub has a chance of getting into the good beer guide Thwates shoot them in the foot.
Just when the pub has a chance of getting into the good beer guide Thwates shoot them in the foot. Philip A Berry

Comments are closed on this article.

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