I think Blackpool pub issues died out 'long ago' and Central Drive is much calmer
“A pub is as rough as a licensee wants to make it.”
A Blackpool pub, long associated with trouble and a reputation for attracting the wrong sort of attention, is being given a fresh start in a bid to make it a safe, welcoming place where customers can enjoy a drink without fear of violence or intimidation.
Bobby Basterfield took over King Edward VII - which cuts the corner at Central Drive and Chapel Street - five months ago and says it is ‘getting there’ and has already managed to ditch the drama and the background issues the pub suffered from.
He is slowly turning the tide.
Giovanni Pinto wished him luck but challenged its’ ‘rough’ reputation saying issues going back 25 years have long since died out.
He said: “Rough and ready boozer reputation? Yes, maybe back in 2000's but its been quiet for the last 20 odd years. Take a walk down at a weekend and see how many door staff are on, that will tell you a lot about how rough a place is.
“Plus the previous tenant did a lot to try and change it and bring it back, allegedly they weren’t supported enough by the brewery.
“I mean good luck to the owner but please don’t be trying to make out your dealing with 25 year plus issues that have long since died out.”
Annette Michelle Long said: “Your doing a fab job, you and your wife. I went to the Freddie Mercury tribute night with my son during the summer, and had a fab night - thank you.
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The pub is on the edge of Blackpool’s major £300m regeneration project aiming to transform the former Central Railway Station site, once one of the busiest in the world, into a major leisure destination.
Dave Daly said: “A pub is as rough as a licensee wants to make it. Blackpool has its own problems with holidaymakers, they’ve always had their own rules and quite hard to handle.
But hey it’s Blackpool. Central Drive a lot calmer now than it was. The Eddie is a great pub.”
Zak Bailey said he’d had a great night in there a few weeks back and Stuart Colligan commented how his daughter had her 18th birthday there.