Post by madhatter on Mar 29, 2008 4:05:12 GMT 1
Temperance bar open after revamp
Alison Winward
28/ 3/2008
BRITAIN’S last surviving temperance bar is set to reopen this weekend after being closed for refurbishment for four months.
[img src="![]()
i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Navbits/magnify-clip.png" width=160 height=120 src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Images/Rawtenstall Rossendale/Fitzpatricks_Rawtenstall_DSC06051.jpg"]
And owner Chris Law is promising a new, extended menu to go with the new look at Fitzpatrick’s, in Rawtenstall.
Mr Law, who bought Fitzpatrick’s around eight years ago, decided to refurbish its Bank Street base after he tried to move the bar and found the floorboards around it were starting to rot.
The damage was the result of years of drinks being spilled there since the bar opened in 1890.
The closure came as a shock to customers, especially as Fitzpatrick’s was such a noticeable part of town life.
‘People said they were scared they were going to lose the temperance bar, or we were going to modernise it too much,’ said Mr Law.
However, he said he had had a favourable response from those allowed a sneak peek of the new look.
He said: ‘I’ve had nothing but fantastic comments from the people who have seen it now. Every person who has called in during the last few days says we’ve done a wonderful job.’
Of the extended menu, he added: ‘We’ll still be serving really traditional drinks, but also smoothies, juice drinks and ice-cream floats.
‘We’ll also be selling old-fashioned sweets, and a few old-fashioned gifts.’
The Rawtenstall Fitzpatrick’s is the only survivor from a chain of temperance bars set up by the Fitzpatrick family from Dublin in the 1800s.
Mr Law is only the third person outside the Fitzpatrick family to own the temperance bar.
Venue inspires competition win
DESIGNS inspired by bottles and labels at Fitzpatrick’s have won a prestigious national competition for a young textile artist.
Alison Winward
28/ 3/2008
BRITAIN’S last surviving temperance bar is set to reopen this weekend after being closed for refurbishment for four months.
[img src="
i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Navbits/magnify-clip.png" width=160 height=120 src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k36/Madhatter1uk/Forum/Images/Rawtenstall Rossendale/Fitzpatricks_Rawtenstall_DSC06051.jpg"]And owner Chris Law is promising a new, extended menu to go with the new look at Fitzpatrick’s, in Rawtenstall.
Mr Law, who bought Fitzpatrick’s around eight years ago, decided to refurbish its Bank Street base after he tried to move the bar and found the floorboards around it were starting to rot.
The damage was the result of years of drinks being spilled there since the bar opened in 1890.
The closure came as a shock to customers, especially as Fitzpatrick’s was such a noticeable part of town life.
‘People said they were scared they were going to lose the temperance bar, or we were going to modernise it too much,’ said Mr Law.
However, he said he had had a favourable response from those allowed a sneak peek of the new look.
He said: ‘I’ve had nothing but fantastic comments from the people who have seen it now. Every person who has called in during the last few days says we’ve done a wonderful job.’
Of the extended menu, he added: ‘We’ll still be serving really traditional drinks, but also smoothies, juice drinks and ice-cream floats.
‘We’ll also be selling old-fashioned sweets, and a few old-fashioned gifts.’
The Rawtenstall Fitzpatrick’s is the only survivor from a chain of temperance bars set up by the Fitzpatrick family from Dublin in the 1800s.
Mr Law is only the third person outside the Fitzpatrick family to own the temperance bar.
Venue inspires competition win
DESIGNS inspired by bottles and labels at Fitzpatrick’s have won a prestigious national competition for a young textile artist.