A WARRINGTON-based campaign group is making a last desperate stand in its lengthy battle to save a historic pub.
The Fiddle I’th Bag Inn in Alder Lane, Burtonwood, which can trace it roots back to the 19th century, has been closed and deteriorating since 2018.
For more than two years, a local group has been fighting to ensure it re-opens as a traditional village pub.
But the building is for sale and planning permission has been granted for it to be converted into an Italian restaurant.
The Fiddle I’th Bag is the last of four original place markers laid down in Burtonwood village in the 1840s and also has a place in local military history.
Its name is derived from an instrument used for sowing corn, predating the Industrial Revolution of 1760 when many local places began their existence as agricultural settlements.
During World War 2 it became a favourite haunt of thousands of US servicemen based at the Burtonwood Air Base.
The Fiddle I’th Bag Appreciation group is hoping it can persuade the new owners to work alongside them so the building can still be restored and re-opened as a traditional community pub.
The group is seeking a positive yet constructive way forward and have secured the support of local businessman Rob Minjoot, theatre performer Lavinia and community campaigner David Barton to help facilitate a strategy towards occupying the site once more on behalf of Burtonwood residents and visitors alike.
Mr. Minjoot said: “The ‘Fiddle I’ th Bag’ has always been more than just a pub in Burtonwood; it has been a beloved cornerstone of our community, a gathering place that drew in locals and visitors alike. Throughout our long campaign to restore it, we faced numerous challenges, chief among them the urgent need to address the Japanese Knotweed, which was neglected and allowed to spread, resulting in an estimated £100k remediation cost.”
“We had envisioned the Fiddle bustling with life by now, and it is deeply disheartening that, despite our thorough planning and discussions with investors, we could not bring our dream of revitalizing the ‘Fiddle in th’ Bag’ to fruition for the benefit of everyone. As we look to the future, we can only hope that the new owners recognize the value we all see in the Fiddle and honour its unique legacy.”
Local resident Lavinia said: “We kindly request the new owners get in touch with us as soon as possible as this pub means so much to us, especially myself and Rob who would regularly visit here after our rehearsals and theatre productions al when we would often return just in time to catch a break with our local friends and neighbours that also came here.”
Mr. Barton said: “I should like to congratulate the new owners on their purchase and the entirety of the Fiddle I’th Bag Community Group who have been a tremendous support since we first launched our campaign to restore and utilise the premises as a Public House once more.
“We have all invested considerable time, effort and energy into a lengthy campaign that may yet hold potential to blossom so we would kindly request the new owners and their managing agents to contact us as soon as possible in the event that this historic Placemarker may yet be conserved and kept for future generations to appreciate and enjoy. We sincerely hope that both this original surviving Burtonwood building and its associated land and premises may be utilised in a way truly benefitting the community as we had envisaged in our draft business plans with our original appointed investor who has also been very supportive and we hope may be able to work alongside the purchaser in due course.”
The campaign team can be contacted at:
[email protected] 07968 581611 (Text Message & Voicemail)
