ROBBIE FANS PACK BURSLEM’S BOOZERS BEFORE BIG VALE GIG
Trade boost ahead of homecoming concert
BUSINESS was been booming in Burslem on Saturday ahead of the Robbie Williams concert as 20,000 fans flooded into Stoke-on-trent.
The 48-year-old megastar was performing at Vale Park, and some fans had been queueing from Wednesday for a spot close to the front.
But others were happy to see what Burslem had to offer before heading to Vale Park for the Saturday night homecomg gig by Potteries pop superstar.
And, as a result, Burslem’s pubs saw a surge in trade with landlords saying that the town is “thriving”.
Louise Potts, licensee of the Red Lion, inset, which used to be run by the Williams family, said: “It’s been going really well. We have had a lot of people from different places.
““We have had a lot of people from Germany. It was nice to see people that have come from out of the area.
”We can’t complain at all. People here can’t get enough of Robbie.
“People have been coming in here at night who have been camping - it shows how dedicated the fans are.”
Landlady at the Clayhanger, Sara Greaves said: “It’s been much busier than usual. Trade has really started to pick up now.
“I think it’s going to be really good for the town and with Vale going up. “We saw a drop-off in trade but we’re really hoping that it will all pick up when Vale start playing again. And Robbie coming in has a been a big boost.
“We’re looking forward to it and we hope it will stay nice.”
At the Bulls Head, Bob Crompton said: “There’s a lot of people coming into the town. We have some people in earlier from Sheffield.
“Everybody is welcome. We have a good time with the barbecue on. Robbie coming is good for the town, and good for business. People are coming here from four or five hours away.”
A barmaid at the Post Office Vaults, who did not wish to be named said: “We have been steady so far. There have been lots of big groups of people around but they mostly head up to Port Vale.
“We’ve have a good steady flow of people. It’s nice and it’s good for the town and the city. It’s nice to see it thriving again.”