Anyone know why the building across from the bus station where the original Sidewalk 53 bar has been empty for so long?

Just curious as it would seem to be an ideal spot for a decent bar or restaurant or a retail shop, right across from station with lots of footfall right passed the door going into town.

Been closed for ages, well over 10 years and a real eyesore.

Used to go in a lot when Phil running it.

Is the rent just to high to make it viable or are there other less obvious reasons, as I said I'm just curious.

Used to be the busiest bar in Burnley mid to late 90s.

Every one used to start their night out there and busy on match days.
Also busy with Savannahs above.

Went in when I was 16 I think, dunno how they ever thought I was old enough to drink.

Shut down not long after.

It is a huge building to remain empty for all this time.

I think savannahs closed around 15 years ago next year which is scary. Sidewalk closed a bit after then reopened then closed for good.

Used to start all my nights out at sidewalk, usually before the match onto sams bar then back to sidewalk after the match, finishing upstairs. Was great at the time but kind of glad it closed as it must have been a pretty **** place to walk past. Windows open and music blasting out full whack

Used to like watching england games there too.

Was the first pub i used to go to regularly. Good times.

Was far better in the late 70s early 80s when it was the Inn Place with Punk bands on the Monday night.Also with the Concord pub next door which was rough as rats

The Concorde. Sylvia's mother blasting out of the juke box.

Think it's just too big a job to renovate inside - apparently the whole roof is a mess and it would need a TOTAL overhaul from ground to roof inside. Unfortunately can't see many investors seeing the return on such a big project as there would be other properties in town which would cost less and yield same returns for a business.

God they would serve anyone. At 16 a crowd of us would get the bus down from colne for a night out and we’d always get served in there. We’d try other pubs and it was hit and miss if they’d serve you. If you could see over the bar they’d serve you.

The beer was awful though. Worthingtons canal water. The bouncers were not the friendliest either

tim_noone wrote:The Concorde. Sylvia's mother blasting out of the juke box.

I remember when it was 'The Concodre'. I used to go in and go after a pint. Not the best pub in town and served Brew10 if I remember correctly (which was awful).Always seemed to be nearly empty which was not surprising.

Strange thing is I would go in again the following week.

Wtf was the alcopop they sold? Just called red or blue. One wad red and one was blue. Was rank.

Cirrus_Minor wrote:I remember when it was 'The Concodre'. I used to go in and go after a pint. Not the best pub in town and served Brew10 if I remember correctly (which was awful).Always seemed to be nearly empty which was not surprising.

Strange thing is I would go in again the following week.

Yes brew ten terrible....it was only empty cos everyone was down Parker lane on bed no breakfast. I always found it busy in the rough side.on the right they were a bit posh.

Remember the upstairs was Lucas Sports and Social Cub, then became Chalkers. Saw Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin and Odyssey up there.Was good through the week in the days before before scrote culture.

basil6345789 wrote:Remember the upstairs was Lucas Sports and Social Cub, then became Chalkers. Saw Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin and Odyssey up there.Was good through the week in the days before before scrote culture.

Bloody hell memory must be going forgot about all that going on up there as well

Do you remember Bank Hall Miners as well?
Live groups on Tues night and Sunday afternoon and night.
Queueing to get in - wonderful.

basil6345789 wrote:Remember the upstairs was Lucas Sports and Social Cub, then became Chalkers. Saw Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin and Odyssey up there.Was good through the week in the days before before scrote culture.

"Scrote culture", ha ha. Surely worthy of a thread of its own.

I started DJing there around 93/94 16 to 17 years old. Weds nights. Pinky did some of the others and Scott on the weekend.

Great times and fond memories. Hate seeing it like it is now.

I remember going in there during the day in the afternoon for day sessions around 1999-2000. But it was packed with numbskulls in the evening, especially around the pool table.

That end of town has suffered. Sidewalk, bootleggers, Yates, sams, swan was the start of the circuit.

People seem to start in Manchester Rd now.

Loyalclaret wrote:That end of town has suffered. Sidewalk, bootleggers, Yates, sams, swan was the start of the circuit.

People seem to start in Manchester Rd now.

Has the Inn on the Wharf reopened yet? We'd sometimes start in the Hollywood Star, go to the Wharf, then down to Whetherspoons, Big Window, The Mix, Walkabout, home.

53 was the best club in town by far 15 years ago

Rough but amazin atmosphere that wont be produced again in the town

Not sure FFbut the Mix has and Walkabout has certainly changed.

Was shocked Ona Sunday night few weeks back, 11:30pm and other than Panama all the late night bars were shut. Sunday was a great night 10 years ago

Loyalclaret wrote:Not sure FFbut the Mix has and Walkabout has certainly changed.

Was shocked Ona Sunday night few weeks back, 11:30pm and other than Panama all the late night bars were shut. Sunday was a great night 10 years ago

Not been in Burnley centre in about 6 years. What's changed with The Mix? And last I heard, Walkabout had shut down? The owners there were extremely dodgy. I had my phone stolen in there - calls were made to Australia, before I blocked the phone and later found out it was one of the blokes who ran the place, but had no proof.

Same with places up and down the country.

Liquid in Newbury closed a few years ago due to a fall in numbers and suddenly everyone was disappointed, same when another place called Venom went.

People won't go to places in enough numbers to keep them open and complain when they're gone.

What's changed?
I've noticed people drink more at home before going out later in the evening and going home earlier too.

I used to be out in town about 7pm and drag myself home some time the next morning in the early hours.

Going of my last few visits Saturday nights are bad enough these days can only imagine how quiet Sundays are.

Sidney1st wrote:What's changed?
I've noticed people drink more at home before going out later in the evening and going home earlier too.

It seemed to change around the time of the recession 10 years ago. I think that's when Thursdays/Sundays in Burnley started to get quiet. Like you say, more people got lashed up before going out.

Loyalclaret wrote:Not sure FFbut the Mix has and Walkabout has certainly changed.

Was shocked Ona Sunday night few weeks back, 11:30pm and other than Panama all the late night bars were shut. Sunday was a great night 10 years ago

I used to love Sunday nights. I used to also loved Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday as well though!

Sunday nights were good. A slightly older (mid-20’s to 30’s) crowd and enjoyed them from 1994-2003 ish.

Wednesday - Miners was packed upstairs for Karaoke.
Thursday - Zanzibar
Friday - Club 53
Saturday - Panama’s/Mean Cats
Sunday - Panama’s

Most nights began around Sidewalk when Phil ran it, before Judith took over (?).

It has changed and for the worse.

On Saturday We used to start in colne at 7 then down Burnley to:

Sidewalk
Yates
Swan
Red lion
Big window
Smacks
105 bar (Blastaways £2:10)

Then York house. It were proper classy!

God knows how we afforded it. Used to walk back to colne many a time. Ah the mid 90’s

Wilf Mbanga wrote:It has changed and for the worse.

What's Saturday/Sundays like now? Is there such thing as a busy night in Burnley, anymore?

Been down soradically doing our old run. The place is dead until past midnight. I’m drunk by then so home time. In my experience there’s too much coke these days. It’s cheaper than having 10 pints I suppose

Yeah I tend to go out earlier and go home earlier these days, but I tend to go into Leeds. Every day seems to be busy in Leeds.

Snorting Fat Lines of crap Off Natalie's Tits is my memory

Sorry to say that the nightlife in Burnley and many surrounding towns is dying and is going to get worse. Times have changed dramatically over the last 20 or so years.England is sinking and times are changing quickly. Makes me wonder sometimes when us Brits are going to stand together and wake up

Ah Morris. It’s obviously the fault of those pesky immigrants. Nothing to do with massively inflated alcohol prices then and a change in people’s outlook on what makes s good night out!

Many saturdays consisted of

Sidewalk
Bootleggers
Smacks
Paradise
THE ZOO - CLUB 53
Monroes

Wilf Mbanga wrote:Ah Morris. It’s obviously the fault of those pesky immigrants. Nothing to do with massively inflated alcohol prices then and a change in people’s outlook on what makes s good night out!

I’d suggest the opening hours are the main cause. Whereas a city could probably support all night drinking, small towns like Burnley, Blackburn and the like have had their nightlife devastated. People get drunk at home and then head into town at midnight. The pubs aren’t getting the trade now.

Also, other social events are affected. Who’s going to get up for Saturday/Sunday lunch time local football leagues when they’re not getting in until 6-7 am?

Places like Vogue and Blu Bar being allowed to stay open till 8 in the morning has a lot to answer for. Just means all the young uns don't go out till midnight, this is what's killed the pubs and bars in town. Can remember when I first started going out about 2002 Burnley was absolutely jumping Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

Sunday was always the best night out. Proper drinkers - no Saturday night warriors . Panama’s - home about midnight then start the week with an hangover.

Claretforever wrote:
I’d suggest the opening hours are the main cause. Whereas a city could probably support all night drinking, small towns like Burnley, Blackburn and the like have had their nightlife devastated. People get drunk at home and then head into town at midnight. The pubs aren’t getting the trade now.

Also, other social events are affected. Who’s going to get up for Saturday/Sunday lunch time local football leagues when they’re not getting in until 6-7 am?

HMMMMM is see the PC brigade has jumped on us. What i meant is that the Brits do not stand together e.g demonstrate.remonstrate etc etc as a collective. We have become very insular in recent years and lots have given up hope and lack the will to do anyhing other than look after yer own self No mention of immigrants was there ! The brittish public have become used to being downtrodden and have given up hope of any change. The Europeans are more vocal and active than us lott

Heard a while ago that it had been bought and was going to be a licensed food bar.

Morrisminor wrote:HMMMMM is see the PC brigade has jumped on us. What i meant is that the Brits do not stand together e.g demonstrate.remonstrate etc etc as a collective. We have become very insular in recent years and lots have given up hope and lack the will to do anyhing other than look after yer own self No mention of immigrants was there ! The brittish public have become used to being downtrodden and have given up hope of any change. The Europeans are more vocal and active than us lott

But what has the decline of Burnley’s night life got to do with Having to stand together and demonstrate. I’ve had this discussion with a few people. Good pubs have stayed open and thrived. Crap pubs have gone. I can’t think of one pub that has gone that I’ve really missed. Yes a few characters but by and large they were rubbish.

In Burnley the council allowed too many bars to open. Burnley became over ‘pubbed’ in the town centre there at least 5 I can think of which weren’t there in my 90’s heyday. If a pub has good beer, is not populated by Sherwoods and has a decent landlord/identity it will thrive. The bridge/Boyces barrell and even the new brewm being examples.

Things change, people change. I'm in my 40s - so I'm from the generation who remembers the Burnley town centre circuit when it was good, especially Sunday nights. I do different things now, like going out for good food or a music gig. Maybe stay in and do some high end food, or at least attempt some, and enjoy it with a very decent bottle of wine while listening the music of my/our choice. Thing is, a lot of people in their 20s and 30s are doing similar stuff. Someone going out, say from Thursday to Sunday every week, would be classed as a bit of a pisspot today.

Crap pubs have gone

White Lion still open Is it not...?

Dazzler wrote:White Lion still open Is it not...?

All right not all The exception proves the rule. Only been in there once and it was after we beat Plymouth to stay up in 1998. Saw jamie hoyland slumped in the trough drunk.

Can’t imagine any of the current team behaving like that!

What was the pub called in between Padiaham and Burnley that was the only place to have a beer on a Sunday when every where else was shut between 3pm and 7pm. It doing my head in. Please help

FactualFrank wrote:Not been in Burnley centre in about 6 years. What's changed with The Mix? And last I heard, Walkabout had shut down? The owners there were extremely dodgy. I had my phone stolen in there - calls were made to Australia, before I blocked the phone and later found out it was one of the blokes who ran the place, but had no proof.

The Mix has gone I think, pretty certain. Walkabout is called Mac- again not been in but friends tell me it is full of really young ones. Posh has gone I think. Mojitos is not a bad addition I suppose

ot been in the Cork House either, has been many different names where Kestrel is, meant to be nice

Rumbletonk wrote:What was the pub called in between Padiaham and Burnley that was the only place to have a beer on a Sunday when every where else was shut between 3pm and 7pm. It doing my head in. Please help

Manor Barn?

Dazzler wrote:Manor Barn?

Thats it. It was driving me mad. Cheers Dazzler

Haven't thugs on doors spoilt the party?

cricketfieldclarets wrote:
Used to like watching england games there too.

You weren't one of them who threw pint glasses and beer at the screen if the opposition scored were you?

If England scored it was like being in the Longside, but with beer as well as bodies all o'er shop.