Family ‘heartbroken’ as locks changed on Blackpool café after 23 years

Quilligan’s, on Church Street, announced it was unable to open its doors with immediate effect after discovering the locks to the premises had been changed.

The family, which has spent 23 years building the business, including nine years at its current premises, said the situation had left them unable to access or operate the café.

In a statement shared on social media, the owners said: “We are absolutely heartbroken to share that, with immediate effect, we are currently unable to open our doors.

“Following ongoing matters involving our premises and Blackpool Council, the locks to the café have been changed today, without our knowledge, meaning we are no longer able to access or operate from the business.”

The family said there were ongoing legal matters which they were continuing to deal with and that they were taking professional advice.

They also stressed they had not chosen to walk away from the business and were exploring their options.

The council has since confirmed it terminated Quilligan’s lease, with Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, saying the business had fallen into significant rent arrears.

He said: “Nobody wants to see businesses close. However, Quilligans is in significant rent arrears.

“Managing down the debt might have been possible, however the owners haven’t engaged with us about their issues. If they had, we would have listened and tried to find a solution for them to pay it back.

“Not paying rent isn’t fair on the other businesses that do, so we were left with no option but to terminate the lease and gain entry.

“It is a real shame to see a long-standing business like Quilligans close, more than anything for the staff who work there.”

The closure marks an uncertain period for the family business, which thanked its customers for their support over the years.

The owners said they would keep customers updated when they were able to share more information.