Scotch Piper reopens – months after blaze
LANCASHIRE’S oldest pub reopens today – on the first day of the Grand National – after being devastated by a fire.
The Scotch Piper, in Southport Road in Lydiate, almost burned to the ground late last year as firefighters worked for hours to extinguish the blaze.
Restoration work refurbished the thatched roof which was ruined in the fire and after an investment of more than £140,000, the 15th century pub is welcoming customers back for the racing calendar’s biggest event.
The pub reopens on the Grand National’s Liverpool Day today (Thursday, April 6).
Customers are invited to watch the race and the Scotch Piper team have even sourced the exact same furniture as before the fire to ensure that regulars won’t miss a beat when they come back.
New licensees Colin Rimmer and Jamie Green took on the site.
Mr Rimmer, who is a commercial airline pilot, said: “We are delighted to have been able to get the Scotch Piper restored and open and we are very much looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.’’
He added: “The Grand National is a great event in the calendar, so to be able to combine this with bringing back to Lydiate a fantastic community pub is wonderful news. The Scotch Piper pub is steeped in history and it’s a dream come true to be running this prestigious pub.”