Sports stars Charlie Adam and Brian Rose at launch of new bar

Former Blackpool FC player Charlie Adam was at the opening of the new Champs bar

Boxers Brian London and Brian Rose joined former Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam at the opening of Champs Sports Bar, on Topping Street.

It it the latest addition to the Ma Kelly group and comes after the new owners spent more than £250,000 redeveloping the place, which now boasts 32 plasma TVs, two snooker tables and dart boards.

Deputy mayor and mayoress Couns Gary and Debbie Coleman were also present at the launch.

Champs sports bar has opened at site of the former Gillespies pub on Topping Street, in Blackpool

Operations manager Mick Sugden said: “When we told the stars that we wanted them at the opening they said yes straight away.

“The bar has been really busy all day since opening and has been well liked.

“Some people have commented on the massive changes that we gave done to the bar.

“We will be hosting lots of events throughout the World Cup this summer.”

The new-look sports bar boasts 32 TV screens, snooker tables and darts boards

The bar was formerly Gillespies, which was at the centre of a brutal murder investigation after Lisa Chadderton, 44, was found stabbed and strangled in the flat above the pub on November 27 last year.

Her boyfriend Mark Tindill, 56, pleaded guilty to her murder in March and was jailed for life with a minimum of 15 years.

Despite the history, Mr Sugden said: “No one has talked about the incident following the opening. It is in the past and the bar deserves a fresh start.”

The new sports bar will open daily from 10am to midnight.