Top pub team announce they cannot reopen post lockdown

Regulars at a landmark Lancashire pub, hotel and restaurant took to social media this week to pay tribute to the venue's role in local life.

It followed the announcement that the team at The Corporation Arms on Lower Road, Longridge, was leaving.

In a post on Facebook the proprietors blamed a combination of rent rises and the cost of reopening after Covid for the decision.

Thanking customers for their support they wrote: "Unfortunately our time at The Corper has come to an end."

Citing an "unachievable rent" and two rent increases the statement continued: "Along with the ongoing Covid restrictions in our trade make it impossible for us to survive."

The statement continued: "We would like to thank every single person who has supported us through out these last 16 years - especially in the last year since the pandemic started. "

The message said any valid gift vouchers or unused gift vouchers from 2020 will be refunded. Customers were asked to message on Facebook to organise a refund.

The statement concluded that "The Corper is like a family and every single one of us wants to say thank you. You have made us feel welcome and part of the community. We will be taking many memories with us on our new ventures, which we do thank you for."

The statement posted on Your Longridge was signed Kev, Nic and The Corper Team.

The Corporation Arms is the correspondence address for Promac Leisure whose directors are listed as Nicola Dawn Proctor and Kevin Melvin Proctor. Kevin is the licensee. The Post was unable to contact Kevin or Nicola.

More than 200 comments have been posted on Facebook since a the announcement and thank you message was published. Ray Jackson who ran a pub quiz at The Corporation Arms took to Facebook to comment: "This is terribly sad news. You’ve worked extremely hard to establish the Corper as one of the top venues in and around Longridge for good food, good beer, and great service from a friendly management team and staff. These unprecedented times have taken their toll on many a business."

Another regular wrote: "Oh no that’s so sad! The Corper has been a part of family life for the last 20 years."

The pub, sited by the Spade Mill reservoir, dates back to the 18th century. It is also renowned for its pub sign bearing the Preston coat of arms.

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