Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 17th January, 2012)

Hey, what's with all these pubs closing since I emigrated ? Has Britain gone tee-total ?

That's a sad sight, had some nice times in the Alex.

Had a pint or two in that pub over the years. It looks like all the pubs are on a very slippery slope.

Bad times,closing pubs,I had a birthday there once!

Again its Tesco taking over the World! Poor location traffic congestion especialy with a school facing the site, has it gone through planning/highways yet?

We're loosing so many pubs we'll have none left soon except those in town / city centres.

Another vital part of the community lost forever.

Why doesn't Tesco start to open pubs,maybe it'll catch on?

a pub which was closed for 3 years! The reason so many pubs are closing is that we had to many! There are still lots and lots around.

They are opening another one just up the road from where we live. Planning permission was refused by the LEA, but they appealed & it has gone through. it is by a busy junction, nowhere for parking and with a small group of shops just down the road.

The pub could have been converted in to a luxury home, if we carry on at this rate, there will be more supermarkets than houses...after saying that, New springs and Aspull is crying out for a supermarket.

‘Another vital part of the community lost forever’

Absolute Boxxocks – it was an awful pub - no atmosphere, little used, poor layout, never had a decent landlord, and sold overpriced ale and poor food – not a patch on the nearby White Lion!
Never liked the place - Good riddance I say!

Sadly, as always, it's a case of use it or lose it.

Sounds like Scholes Malc was Barred sometime or other!

To Scholes Malc, I agree with every word you say, the service and how the pub was run was absolutely terrible, A Widnes rugby player i think his name was Aspey ran it at one time and he just hadnt got a clue. Suprising it did not close 30 years since.

how can these big supermarkets just muscle in and open up were they please,as for saying new springs and aspull need one, well they got three in less than a mile or so away,wigan,reebok,hindley,and what about the local news agents and general small shops of whelley new springs and aspull,theyl probaly shut down and the small staff who worked there can apply for a job at tescos...sorry about any grammer mistakes .

Blucher will be turning in his grave.

Thanks for the comments all, pubs are closing all over, Running Horse in Aspull has been demolished and apartments built on the site, Gerard Arms is closed, Red Lion in Haigh is now an Indian restaurant, and there's a rumour that Aspull Village Club (Labour Club that was)
is going to be a Tesco. Ah well! H.
P.S. Ron who's Blucher?

Terry T, that's not the pubs fault is it!

Pubs are shutting cos beers way too expensive. Another British rip-off.

Oh how i hate to see these lovely, looking buildings being demolished.All the history and stories that go with them.
This one doesn`t look very old though ?

Von Blucher was the original name of the pub. He was at the battle of Waterloo. Was also called, Hole int wall.

old engines gone as well, houses going up.

You can't blame Tescos for "muscleing in", the pub had been empty for some time, Tesco are only taking advantage of the situation. It's the way thing are.

Harry c Garrard Atms is not closed in fact its doing very well,taking you mean in Aspull.The Hare and Hounds is closed.

Thanks Dave, I realised my mistake later in bed, I also forgot to mention The New Inn Racliffe road also closed. H.

Sorry Harry c but the New Inn is open also ,not many go in but its a good pint of cask beer , and a nice coal fire for the winter nights.

if tesco are taking advantage of the situation,why dont they plough some of there massive profits back in the community and build a community centre or youth club

To wcml. has anyone ever approached Tescos to do as you suggest, why not try it out, you could be surprised.

Definately agree with Scholes Malc, it was never a part of the community,a complete waste of space!! crap ale, and atmosphere, good riddance indeed!

am i right in saying that supermarkets by up alot of land or empty buildings like the alex and do nothing with them so as to keep competition out! just wondering...

Thanks again David, last time I noticed The New Inn it had a sign saying rent this pub for £1 I'll have to keep my eyes open, might even try it. H.

The unfortunate truth,if a supermarket want to change a public house into a food store , they don't need planing permission . They do require permission for signage,lighting ect. If they demolish, and start with a new build then full planing is required . In the case of the Alex.,I would imagine a new build would have the preferred option, but would leave the project open pulic scrutiny .All matters would have then come it to play, including its position near to a school ,the controlled crossing, the access and egres to and from a very busy road. Not to mention the possible impact on congestion . I'am left with the unpalatable impression that Tessco decided to proceed with existing building to ensure as little public participation as possible.

Sorry to see it go.We had our Wedding Reception in 1963 there, and spent many a Saturday night,(sing-along) Laurie & Eileen from Aussie