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Published Date: 02 April 2009

By Shelagh Parkinson

ONE of Blackpool's most historic pubs has shut.

Raikes Hall on Liverpool Road, a Grade II listed building, closed after last orders on Saturday.

Licensees Adrian and Jeanette Clay threw a farewell party for regulars on Sunday, but since then the hostelry has been closed.

Mr Clay, who took over the tenancy with Jeanette two years ago, blamed financial difficulties for their decision to close.

He said that although the pub's turnover was strong, other factors, including the cost of buying beer from Trust Inns, which owns the premises, made its prices uncompetitive.

He said: "We didn't go without a fight but last week we tried to extend our overdraft and were refused by the bank.

"It made us look at the whole situation and come to the conclusion that we had to stop now, no matter what it cost.

"The Raikes had a high turnover but with other costs, including rent, the high beer costs and with utility costs doubling, we couldn't carry on.

"We have also suffered because The Raikes has the biggest beer garden in Blackpool and we have had the two worst summers.

"The smoking ban also hasn't helped.

"On Sunday we invited regulars to a farewell party.

"It was a sad day and tears were shed but they are aware of our difficulties and how we have tried over the years.

"Anyone who has bookings should get in touch with us as soon as possible as we have got contingencies in place to help them."

The closure has also led to the loss of eight jobs.

The Raikes building dates back to the 1800s and boasts its own enclosed bowling green.

"It has also been a popular live music venue.

Mr and Mrs Clay took it over after five years in charge at the Litten Tree in Queen Street, Blackpool.

Mr Clay is now managing The Sandhills in St Annes Square while the future of the Raikes now looks unclear.

The pub was among those purchased by Trust Inns from Mitchells and Butler in 2006.

No-one from Trust Inns was available to comment.

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Last Updated: 02 April 2009 7:43 AM
Source: Blackpool Gazette
Location: Blackpool

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Barry Jones,

blackpool 02/04/2009 14:10:18

a sad loss of a great blackpool pub.
lets hope the landlord sells it and we can have it back as a great free house run by its owner for the good of the area.good luck to the clays in what ever they do next.

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sambanista,

02/04/2009 15:13:34

I am not a great drinker, nor am I a big fan of pub culture,(I am more of a wine bar person,) But,the number of pubs closing, it cannot all be down to credit crunch, I think a lot of it lies at the door of the smoking ban brigade,whats wrong with half and half pubs? that could please everyone, because pubs are a part of communities, and we are all losing the community spirit these days, not to mention managers and landlords losing their jobs and quite often their homes as well

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notyetavet,

02/04/2009 18:04:44

Poor, overpriced and tasteless beer. Children under your feet when you just want to stand and chat to your mates. Brats squawking from their prams while Man U fanatics scream down conversations between friends. Larger Louts overtaking society with their me unsociable attitudes, keeping decent people at home. Landlords and property companies charging fortunes to tied tenants added to excessive rates and services costs. Add that to poorly chosen tenant landlords, staff who would rather talk to each other than serve a customer, filthy social area and it all has not a jot to do with the smoking ban...

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,

02/04/2009 18:30:39

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ebby,

02/04/2009 18:34:20

Sambanista. it lies at the door of the credit crunch. If you have no money, you stay in and get friends round, and get your alcohol cheaper at the supermarket. you have no taxis or expensive bar prices to contend with

Pubs are closing all over the country at an alarming rate, The breweries need to lower the prices, then the pubs can do the same

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DOUGBRAM,

marton 02/04/2009 19:01:37

I spent many a good night among locals in the Raikes.

It breaks my heart to see the wilful destruction of a way of life....my parents, and their contempories, frequently enjoyed the 1970's cultural 'last hour in the pub' philosophy.

Since those days Drugs, deviancy and trendy Socialism have eaten away at our local society, and our town, like a cancer......and that's just in the last 25-30 years.

In my imagination I prefer to live in the past......they do things differently there.......and the older and more melancholy I get, the more I hate the distaindful and dismissive scumbag present!

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Tango900,

Lytham St.Annes 02/04/2009 22:51:48

How many regulars are the outlawed smokers?
Hamish was Right

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DOUGBRAM,

marton 03/04/2009 12:41:24

The Raikes pub is a very important site in historical terms for Blackpool......there used to be dancing there, back in the old days.....in the days of traditional pubs.

My idea of a proper pub is spit & sawdust, bare board floors, no women or kids, no jokebox or karioke c**p, strong flat warm ale that you could slice with a bread knife.

The only bar snacks available would consist of a curled-up sandwiches, that's are so old that you could hammer nails with into walls with them......and a meat pie so green that it's developed into a life-form all of its own.

That kind of pub would certainly cut down the teeny trollope drinking plague that we are currently enduring.

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