Shock as city centre bar closes

A POPULAR bar in Coventry city centre has shocked locals by closing its doors.

It is not currently known why, but Inspire, located inside an old Christchurch spire on New Union Street, has shut down.

The bar itself has occupied the spire since 1999, and developed a reputation for selling bottles of foreign beer.

The bar announced its closure in a post on their Facebook page.

It read: “With a heavy heart we are closing the doors on Inspire as of today. Thanks for all the amazing nights, memories and friendships this bar created. Mick.”

News of the bar’s sudden closure prompted a strong reaction from former customers on Inspire’s Facebook page .

Luke Clark said: “Thanks for all the memories and all the great music. The most hospitable venue in Coventry for local music acts... I enjoyed some of my favourite gigs with The Treehorns back in the day!

“You guys were also well ahead of the curve with beers.

“Easy to forget that only a decade ago (before the craft beer explosion) it was such a rare find to be able to find a Trappist beer in a pub, let alone a selection of them!”

Melissa Smith said: “Thank you for all the amazing nights we have had will definitely miss you.”

Charlotte Hart said: “Really sad to read this. Spent some great nights, evenings and afternoons there; met the most amazing people who have become my friends.

“The bar will always have a special place in my heart - had my first date with my husband. Thank you for the memories.”

Kay Brown said: “So sad, I’ve had some great memories from there over the years, from having tasty lunch on a saturday to trying my first ever fruity beer and loving it, plus the hundreds of great nights.”

Sarah Mills said: “Gutted to read this, I’ve loved this place and enjoyed many a good beer with good company here. Such a shame and a sad loss to the City Centre.”

Francis John O’Sullivan said: “Gutted, many great memories created there, the Beatles night and stepping in on bass to play with my lads band being the highlights, always the coolest bar in the city.”

Liza Newton said: “Sorry to hear this, Inspire bar was the one shinning light when we lived in Coventry.”

Inspire was located within the remains of the spire of Christchurch on New Union Street.

The church was believed to have dated from the early 1200s but main church building was destroyed during Coventry Blitz on April 8, 1940.

A decade later, the remains of the walls were destroyed, and the spire stood alone.