Seven Blackburn with Darwen pubs closed doors for good since March 2020

Blackburn with Darwen Cllr Damian Talbot said that pubs are an important part of the community after data revealed that seven pubs in the borough have closed their doors for good since the start of the pandemic.

Data from real estate advisers Altus Group shows there were 100 pubs in Blackburn with Darwen as of June – down from 107 in March 2020, before the first coronavirus lockdown. This comes as the same data shows in England and Wales there are less pubs that ever before.

The White Bull pub has closed for good

In the borough, the White Bull, a popular Thwaites pub for Rover’s fans closed in March 2020 and never re-opened.

The Grapes pub on Northgate in the town centre also struggled having closed its doors during the pandemic.

Also closed since March 2020 is the Red Lion in Whitebirk. The building has recently been purchased and a planning application was submitted for it to be converted into a restaurant.  

Executive member for leisure and culture, Cllr Damian Talbot said that pubs are important in the community and are hubs for local people.

The Grapes pub also closed its doors for good during the pandemic but is now set to become a restaurant

He said: “Even in the run-up to the pandemic, pubs were facing a hard time with the prices all going up.

“The pandemic placed a huge burden. It’s sad to see that some haven’t made it through

“Now we are in a cost of living crisis and if people are struggling at home, it’s clearly going to be difficult for them to justify going to the pub.

“Pubs have an important role as a community hub. I always feel the community spirit in my local pub.

“I hope things change but it doesn’t feel like they are going to.

“It will be sad if we lose more pubs – please if you can, support your local.”

The coronavirus pandemic placed extraordinary pressure on pubs and the hospitality sector as national lockdowns forced closures, while demand took a hit as punters chose to stay at home to avoid catching the virus.

Executive member for leisure and culture, Damian Talbot, is asking the public to support their local

Across the North West there have been 111 closures since the start of the pandemic, including 17 this year.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy said: “We understand the challenges that the pubs sector is facing.

"This is why we are supporting pubs across the UK with 50 percent business rates relief, freezing alcohol duty rates on beer, cider, wine and spirits and increasing the employment allowance.

"This is in addition to the billions in grants and loans offered throughout the pandemic.”