The council has got shot of a pub which it probably regretted buying
CASH-strapped North East Lincolnshire Council has sold the former O'Neill's pub which has stood empty in recent times.
The buyers are Blackpool-based Amber Taverns who are understood to have paid £430,000 for a 99-year lease on the Cleethorpes property.
The firm, whose other ventures include the Lumley Hotel in Skegness, will also pay an annual ground rent of £2,500.
Under the terms of the deal, the car park will be retained by the council, therefore allowing the opportunity to relieve car parking pressures around Cleethorpes.
The authority expects to see an additional income of between £30k and £40k for car parking.
The council is believed to have bought the property, which has heritage pedigree, in order to demolish it and open up view of the estuary.
But it has had a change of heart - hence the sale.
It is unlikely the re-opened pub, which to be renamed The Old Vic, will be family-friendly.
There are no plans to sell food, and the intention is to show televised sports from Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Racing Tv and Dazn.
Gary Roberts, operations director at Amber Taverns, says: "We believe that the great British pub should always offer great value for money and be an affordable treat for everyone.”
"We want to create a modern pub that is attractive and welcoming to all customers, driving day and evening footfall and helping to regenerate the area.
"We plan to name the pub The Old Vic in acknowledgement to a former name of the premises.
"Our design will be modern but commemorate the history of the town with various old pictures and internal detailing.
"We have successfully achieved this in many other towns and cities."
Prior to opening, a comprehensive refurbishment will see internal and external repairs and redecoration, a new bar and back bar, new toilets, new flooring, new electric and heating systems throughout, and the creation of a three-bed operator’s flat on the first floor.
An external area at the rear, next to the car park, will be home to a beer 'garden'.
Cllr Stephen Harness, NELC's portfolio holder for finance, resources and assets, has struck an upbeat note.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to bring another business into the centre of Cleethorpes and boost the local economy," he insists.
"I wish Amber Taverns all the best."
The Grimsby News says: Amber Taverns will doubtless make a good fist of its acquisition, but the enthusiasm of Cllr Harness is surely misplaced. Did Cleethorpes really need another pub? And will it really 'boost' the economy? Time will tell.
No comments:
Post a Comment