Fiddle I'th Bag Inn: Campaigners find 'potential investor' to save pub

Locals have come together in an attempt to purchase Fiddle I'th Bag Inn on Alder Lane, near Newton-le-Willows, due to its significance as the final original place markers laid down in the village and civil parish in the 1840s.

The pub, with its origins traced back to the 19th century, closed its doors on New Year's Eve in 2018 and has since been left vacant.

The campaigners have now found a ‘preferred purchaser’ of the pub, who share the group’s vision to reopen the pub and bring it back to its former glory.

The pub has been vacant since 2018 (Image: David Barton)

The community group is now appealing to have its potential investor secure the premises.

Rob Minjoot, local businessman and joint coordinator of the campaign said: "Since the start of our campaign I have been astounded by the level of support and affection for the Fiddle I’th Bag Inn shown in response to this significant building’s plight.

Residents have come together in hopes of securing the premises (Image: David Barton)

"Having achieved the aim of finding an investor prepared and with the means to restore the Fiddle to the benefit of the local community, we find we must appeal our more than adequate offer and proposition for the purchase and restoration of the site.

"Now more than ever, we need your support."

The potential investor’s vision for the former Burtonwood pub is to "bring the Fiddle back to its former glory" with the hope of introducing local farmers market and artisan fair on a weekly basis.