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Hop on board if you fancy a tipple
ALL aboard the real ale train!
Landlord Alan Cross and his wife Jan raise their pint glasses to herald a unique, new hop-off, hop-on pub guide.
The South Fylde railway line – which runs from Blackpool South to Preston – has been dubbed the South Fylde Ale Rail Trail, encouraging those that fancy a tipple to use the train and leave the car at home.
A total of 14 bars – from trackside pubs to busy town centre hostelries – have been identified on the trail as within easy walking distance from each station on the line.
Alan Cross, landlord at the Station Tavern in Lytham, said: "This is a great idea to advertise to people that they can come in on the train and there are good pubs along the line.
"We already have quite a few people who visit us who come in on the train and go home on the train.
"What they need to do now is get a service running on Sundays in the winter because there are no trains at all then."
But John Horn at the Waterloo Hotel, Waterloo Road, South Shore was not so certain.
He said: "I am sure this guide will be good for pubs immediately next to the stations, but I can't see it bringing in more people here, we are a little bit away from the station.
"People already come to Blackpool by train and a lot already know where the good pubs are. Whether this will have an effect on drink driving, nobody can tell."
John Simmons, boss of the Hastings Club, said: "It's great to have local pubs featured in this guide. It will certainly bring people in, especially Camra (Campaign for Real Ale) members.
"It is great that people know where they can get a good pint near the station and, hopefully, this will encourage people to use the train rather than driving."
Blackpool and Fylde Rail Users' Association came up with the Rail Ale Trail concept and, with Blackpool and Fylde Camra and council officers, produced the handy leaflet.
Drinkers are not advised to try all 14 boozers in one go – but try each at their leisure.
Coun Fred Jackson said: "Blackpool wants people to drink responsibly while enjoying our lovely resort. Why not use our handy local trains to get from Blackpool to real ale establishments in the area?
"Not only are these valuable local businesses that help our local tourist trade but locally brewed beer is often sold too."
Blackpool Tourist Information is distributing the leaflet around their centres, as well as local attractions, hotels and guesthouses.
Further copies are also available from Northern Rail and Lancashire County Council tourist information centres.
rob.stocks@blackpoolgazette.co.uk
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Weather for Blackpool
Saturday 26 May 2012
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