Bar owners not ready yet to call time in town

A BAR’s owners have vowed to bounce back after being forced to close last weekend.

Buddies Bar, which had been operating from the Belvoir Shopping Centre in Coalville, closed for the final time on Saturday after weeks of growing anger from punters and the community who believed the business was being unfairly “chucked out” of the town by forces beyond its control.

The closure, which has been made to accommodate a new customer service hub for North West Leicestershire District Council, is reported to have cost five people their jobs

Last weekend’s final night – a “drink the bar dry” event – followed a prolonged and bitter saga involving Buddies, the council and the owners of the Belvoir Shopping Centre, Gylo.

After being given notice of their lease coming to an end, Buddies claimed that both the council and Gylo had offered no support to help them relocate. Both the district council and Gylo have denied this.

Anger at the move even led to a petition with more than 1,200 people calling for a rethink on the decision.

However, that did not happen, but council boss Councillor Richard Blunt conceded the long-running situation had harmed his authority’s reputation.

Now, following the closure, Buddies have paid tribute to staff and patrons of the venue.

“We want to say thank you to all our staff and Raj our doorman for making Buddies a great party venue post Covid,” they said.

“Thank you for the support of all you Coalvillians through what has been a very sad time losing our venue.”

Despite the closure, they have continued to reiterate that they have not given up on Coalville and are looking at other venues in the town.

Last week, it emerged they had been to view the town’s former Rex Cinema, which has been closed since 2016.

With no place yet secured, the Buddies team say they remain optimistic of a return to Coalville. “Coalville, it’s been a blast.”

“As Arnie said ‘We’ll be back.’ Love to you all,” they added.

BUT BOSSES LOOK