MP adds his voice to calls to create community pub
SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore has given his backing to a group of people trying to save a Birkdale pub for community use.
The Blundell Arms Community Pub (BACP) group wants to save the Blundell Arms, in Upper Aughton Road, to use as a community pub and dementia cafe.
The group’s plans feature a wheelchair-accessible farm garden, microbrewery, events such as “distil your own gin” nights, and meeting rooms for community groups.
A potential sale of the Blundell Arms to a housing developer has raised fears the plans could be lost but the group is pledging to fight any application for planning permission to demolish the pub.
Mr Moore recently met members of the group to hear their ambitious plans for the site.
Mr Moore said: “The Blundell Arms was a popular family pub in Birkdale. It had looked set to be given a new lease of life as a ‘Community Pub’ under the Government’s More Than A Pub programme.
“However, fears are growing that the pub’s owner may end up selling the property to a Blackpool based property develop, who submitted a higher bid.
“I recently joined with a local community group, led by local man Jason McCormack, to lend my support to plans to relaunch the Blundell Arms.”
Ceri Evans, secretary, said: “It was great to get the support and interest of our local MP, Damien Moore.
“He seemed very positive about the ideas we have for The Blundell Arms and felt very strongly that there was need for something in the area for the local community that was family friendly and welcoming to all.”