Popular pub closes –
and folk club moves out
by John Hendon
A POPULAR Warrington pub has closed and CAMRA – the Campaign for Real Ale – has expressed alarm that it may eventually be demolished to make way for housing.
They fear new owners London Town could have plans to demolish the Railway pub at Heatley, Lymm and re-develop the site.
The Railway is one of the last “community pubs” in the area, according to CAMRA.
For years it has hosted a popular folk club and is also used by a number of other local organisations.
The Railway Folk Club has relocated to the Spread Eagle pub and is now calling itself the Lymm Folk Club ? although they acknowledge that the Railway?s closure is said to be ?temporary.?
Mark Enderby, CAMRA’s North West pubs organiser said the Railway had changed hands several times since the demise of Warrington brewers Greenalls.
Early this year, it was one of a batch of pubs taken over by London Town which, says CAMRA, claims to be a pub company but also has a property development company, Bankside Developments.
The Railway has actually passed to Bankside Developments although a “to let” sign is displayed outside the pub.
Mr Enderby said: “I suspect they see its future as a building site. However, given this is one of a batch being put up for lease, they are probably looking longer term. I presume they wouldn’t get planning permission currently.
“The current licensee, who has been running the pub successfully despite rent hikes and lack of repairs, has been given notice and the new rent/lease costs appear to be unrealistic.
“The danger is that (a) no one will pay … and the pub closes, (b) someone with no experience takes it on and the business fails leading to closure, (c) someone with lots of money believes it can be taken on, gutted and moved to compete with other local food pubs – hence losing the ability to host the clubs and societies.”
However, Mark Crowther, a former Carlsberg executive and new chief executive of London Town has pledged the company intends to grow its pub sector.
He said: “There will always be an aspect of our business that will look at alternative uses for our pubs. That said, our modus operandi isn’t to buy 100 pubs, shut them all tomorrow and turn them into flats and car showrooms.”
The group would always consider closing a pub that had passed its sell-by date but the aim was to grow the company as a substantial pub business.
Mr Crowther stressed that his background was in pubs – not property development.
Council braces itself
for “tough settlement”
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington are predicting a ?tough settlement? from the Government as they start the lengthy process leading up to fixing next year?s budget.
Indications are that the Chancellor will impose very limited increases in grant on local authorities and that the maximum increase is likely to be two per cent.
Council officers believe even this is an ?optimistic? forecast.
But Warrington hopes to bring forward its budget setting process to enable more consultation with the public.
Council leader Ian Marks said there had been many favourable comments about last year?s consultation.
?We didn?t just tell people what we were going to do, we consulted properly and actually listened to what they were saying and, as a result, made changes.?
Coun Marks said he intended to arrange meetings with Warrington?s two MPs, Helen Southworth and Helen Jones, asking for their help in getting a better deal for the town.
?We think that, generally, Warrington is just slightly unfairly treated.
?The cake is going to be smaller ? we just don?t know how it will be sliced up. But we don?t want Warrington to miss out.?
Coun Marks said Warrington would be facing a challenging situation but he was not pessimistic.
?It will be difficult and challenging but I think we will be up to it,? he said.
Sun shines for
village festivals
by staff reporter
GLAZEBURY Gala and Winwick Carnival were both blessed with sunshine as hundreds of people flocked to both events.
At Glazebury local schoolgirl Kate Roddy was crowned Gala Queen. Meanwhile down the road at Winwick there was a real carnival atmosphere on the village green.
Tennis club triumphs
in cup competition
STOCKTON Heath Tennis Club won the Warrington and District Knockout Competition, the Ardern Cup, when they defeated Lane Tennis Club, of Widnes, in the final at Grappenhall.
Lane had fought a thrilling semi-final with Wigan?s Bellingham Tennis Club, winning by just one and a half games. Stockton Heath had defeated Culcheth in the other semi-final.
There were 32 teams in the competition which is one of the highlights of the local tennis season. Organiser was Alan Harmer from Widnes.
The Stockton Heath team members were Cheryl McQuillan, Corinna Bebbington, Clare Baron, Sheila Henstridge, David Dixon, Sean Dunstan, Luke Baxter, Mark White, Martin Hales and Craig Barnard.
Grappenhall Tennis Club made their new courts and clubhouse available and provided hospitality.
Knife men in
raid on shop
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting two thugs who threatened staff with a knife and got away with cash from a convenience store at Warrington.
The raid was at a shop in Lovely Lane shortly before 10pm.
Police said the two men, wearing dark clothing, entered the shop. One was brandishing was appeared to be a knife and threatened staff before grabbing cash from the till.
The second man stood guard at the door.
They left and were seen heading in the direction of Whitecross. No-one was hurt, but shop staff were left badly shaken.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the raid on Monday, July 9. Anyone who can help is asked to contact DC Mark Spaven on 01244 613936 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
In particular police would like to hear from anyone who saw a car being driven erratically in the area.
Unique project for
young volunteers
by John Hendon
PLACES are available on Warrington Youth Club’s unique project for young people aged 12-20 that takes place at the Peace Centre.
The Loud and Clear project is for young people who want to gain the skills to volunteer or get involved in youth work, or who are interested in having their say as part of a youth forum.
Through a 12-week programme that ends with a weekend residential, young people learn new skills, get training and certificates and have a go at volunteering.
A youth who took part in a Loud and Clear programme earlier this year, said: “It’s hard work, but fun and exciting… a chance to learn about volunteering and lots of other things. It’s a really good experience – go for it and you’ll enjoy it and have a good laugh”.
The next programme starts in September, and will run on Wednesday nights from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Anyone interested should call 01925 581227 for more information.
Insurance broker taken
over by national firm
by business staff
WARRINGTON-based insurance broker Creamer Group plc has been acquired by a national broking and financial services company.
Oval Ltd has acquired the company as part of a plan to expand into the North West.
Seven acquisitions have been made in as many months and each one has been chosen carefully in the areas most likely to welcome investment and expansion.
All staff will retain their positions, and Oval hopes to commit to the Warrington area over the coming months and years by bringing more jobs and greater investment to the region.
Creamer, founded more than 40 years ago by Paul Creamer, has a sound reputation and has an in-depth knowledge in insurance broking, risk management and financial services.
John Lawson and Lee Chadwick formerly group chairman and managing director of the Creamer Group will
continue to run the Oval office in Warrington.
Mr Lawson said, ?We?re so pleased that we have been able to grow the Creamer Group to such an extent that its success has attracted the interests of Oval.
?We have always been impressed by Oval?s ethos and ethics and this acquisition has come about through a mutual respect for both companies. We have grown Creamer to be as big and successful as we can and now we need the powerhouse qualities of Oval so that we can continue to grow in the future.?
John Hancock, Oval?s managing director in the North said: ?It is Oval?s policy to sustain long term growth and we are fully committed to expanding within the North West and to becoming a significant partner in local Warrington industry.?
Survey shows park
poses no health risk
by Lesley Wilkinson
AN environmental study has declared a Warrington park safe for use and now residents can have their say on how it should be developed.
Westy Park, Latchford, which used to be a waste disposal site, has been declared safe for public use, following the study by Warrington Borough Council and the Environment Agency.
Soil and water samples were taken in and around the park, and there was found to be no risk to the public.
The park is scheduled for major improvements and residents are being invited to have an input. Initial plans are being displayed at The Westy Park Carnival on Sunday, when council staff will be on hand to chat to residents.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough council?s executive member for environment services, said: “We are delighted that the study has been completed and we are already working on ideas to improve the park further.
“As ever, we would like to share these proposals with residents and seek their views on how they would like the park to be improved. I urge all residents to come to the carnival this Sunday and have your say on shaping the future of the park.”
