Shock pub closure

Customers were shocked to see a sign on the front door of The Fairhaven in Marine Drive, Fairhaven, thanking them for their support and giving a phone number for the head office of parent company Enterprise Inns if they had any queries.

The pub, which is close to Fairhaven Lake and includes an 80-seater restaurant, was given a major refurbishment by Enterpise Inns in 2012, but has had something of a chequered history since.

Early in 2014, the then manager was fined £500 with £450 costs for serving out-of-date food.

A new manager took over this year, prompting a generally encouraging response on Internet review sites.

Coun Cheryl Little, chairman of Fylde Council’s tourism and leisure committee, who lives nearby, said: “I’m shocked and sad to see it closed. A pub such as that is a community hub as well as a place for serving refreshment and I have many happy memories of visits there.

“I hope it reopens soon - and the way The Victoria in St Annes has flourished after being declared a community asset is a great example of a possible way forward.”