Murder probe pub to be a sports bar

Gillespies on Topping Street will be renamed the Champs Sports Bar, part of the Ma Kelly group.

It will be opened by the deputy mayor Coun Gary Coleman and retired heavyweight boxer Brian London on Thursday at noon.

Operations manager Mick Sugden said: “We have completely redeveloped it and spent £250,000. We have got 32 plasma TVs, two snooker tables, pool tables and dart boards.

“There are no sports bars in Blackpool, so we are giving something new to the town.

“We are going to show everything, from football to snooker to darts.”

Lisa Chadderton, 44, a popular mum-of-one who worked at Abingdon Street Market, was found stabbed and strangled in the flat above the pub on November 27 last year.

Her boyfriend Mark Tindill, 56, of Topping Street, pleaded guilty to her murder at Preston Crown Court in March. He was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years.

The flat where the murder took place has now been replaced with a second floor for the pub.

Mr Sugden said:” We have changed everything and we are hoping to give it a complete fresh start.”

Gillespies was put up for sale in February with a guide price of a guide price of between £200,000 and £250,000, according to Savills’ auction website.

The new Champs Sports Bar will open daily from 10am until midnight.