THE owner of a popular pub is putting the venue up for sale as he prepares to call last orders on his 30-year career in the trade.

Richard Hilliard has been running Tricky’s on Thwaites Road in Oswaldtwistle for seven years but has put the pub up on the market as he looks to retire.

Mr Hilliard has spent almost three decades working in pubs across Hyndburn and says he will be sad to leave the trade.

The 76-year-old said: “I’ve done my time now. I’ve had a brilliant time at Tricky’s, it’s a really good pub.

“We’ve had so many good memories, we’ve had a lot of good community and charity events going on.

“I’ll definitely miss the place and the people, I’ll be sad to leave.”

During his time at Tricky’s it has held numerous fundraising events for charities such as East Lancashire Hospice.

The pub often is also a haven for music fans and regularly hosts live local bands. as well as live football.

Mr Hilliard has previously had New Inn in Oswaldtwistle, the Antley Inn in Blackburn Road and the Royal Oak in Accrington since starting in the pub trade in 1977.

He will looking to spend time with his family when he retires and he has a dozen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

The pub has had several viewings since going on the market but has yet to receive an acceptable offer.

Mr Hilliard, who has two children of his own and three step-children, said he hopes the site will remain a pub.

He said: “We want to see the right people buying it. Hopefully it will remain a pub, it’d be really good for a youngish couple in their 40s to take over. They’d be getting a really good pub.”

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who represents Oswaldtwistle for Hyndburn Council, said: “Richard is a great character and provided tremendous service and run some good pubs. I’m sorry to hear he is retiring but I wish him well. I hope that whoever takes over will continue Richard’s traditions.”

The pub is up for £250,000 with Mortimers Estate Agent.