Campaign group makes last stand to save Fiddle I'th Bag, Burtonwood

Residents are seeking to preserve the Fiddler I'th Bag Inn, on Alder Lane, in Burtonwood, which went up for sale last year, with the building's origins dating back to the 19th Century.

Having staged a concerted campaign to purchase and restore the monumental set of premises, The Fiddle I’th Bag Appreciation Group is holding out hope that the new owner may be willing to work alongside them to achieve the same vision.

The group says this follows a protracted endeavour to purchase the site themselves that would have seen the pub back in use once more as a local hub for friends and neighbours to congregate with wider plans to retain and utilise the surrounding greenspace commercially for agriculture and other associated uses.

About the Fiddle I'th Bag 

The Fiddle I’th Bag Inn is the final one of four original Place markers laid down in the village and civil parish of Burtonwood and Westbrook in the 1840s. The namesake hails from a pastoral instrument used for sowing corn predating the Industrial Revolution of 1760 when many North-West based places began their existence as agricultural settlements.

The former public house has a place in military history records serving Airmen and their families from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean as far back as the World Wars. RAF Burtonwood, established in 1940, formed a strategic location for the Allies and the United States Army Air Forces who operated the airbase during the Second World War before it returning back to British command.

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Many of these same servicemen from both the UK and US military frequented the local Fiddle I’th Bag Inn with their families and corresponding descendants. This age-old pastime has long-continued right up until the venue’s closure in 2018. Since that time plans have been successfully applied for to run the premises as an Italian Restaurant.

Campaigners say with the site now for sale it is hoped that the premises may yet undergo a full restoration and reopening as a traditional community pub once more by former regulars and residents keen to level up the area for the next generation.

'More than just a pub'

The Fiddle I’th Bag Appreciation Group, an assembly of residents and supporters, say they are "seeking a positive yet constructive way forward".

The group has secured the support of local businessman Rob Minjoot, theatre performer Lavinia and community campaigner David Barton to help facilitate a strategy towards occupying the site once more on behalf of Burtonwood residents and visitors alike.

Mr Minjoot said: “The ‘Fiddle th’ Bag’ has always been more than just a pub in Burtonwood; it has been a beloved cornerstone of our community, a gathering place that drew in locals and visitors alike.

"Throughout our long campaign to restore it, we faced numerous challenges, chief among them the urgent need to address the Japanese Knotweed, which was neglected and allowed to spread, resulting in an estimated £100k remediation cost.”

He added: “We had envisioned the Fiddle bustling with life by now, and it is deeply disheartening that, despite our thorough planning and discussions with investors, we could not bring our dream of revitalizing the ‘Fiddle in th’ Bag’ to fruition for the benefit of everyone.

"As we look to the future, we can only hope that the new owners recognise the value we all see in the Fiddle and honour its unique legacy.”

Rob Minjoot and Lavinia stood in front of the historic Burtonwood pub (Image: Submitted)

Meanwhile, campaigner Lavinia added: “We kindly request the new owners get in touch with us as soon as possible as this pub means so much to us, especially myself and Rob who would regularly visit here after our rehearsals and theatre productions with AMDRAD in the Wirral when we would often return just in time to catch a break with our local friends and neighbours that also came here.”

Mr. Barton said: “I should like to congratulate the new owners on their purchase and the entirety of the Fiddle I'th Bag Community Association Group who have been a tremendous support since we first launched our campaign to restore and utilise the premises as a Public House once more.”

He added: “We have all invested considerable time, effort and energy into a lengthy campaign that may yet hold potential to blossom so we would kindly request the new owners and their managing agents to contact us as soon as possible in the event that this historic Placemarker may yet be conserved and kept for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

"We sincerely hope that both this original surviving Burtonwood building and its associated land and premises may be utilised in a way truly benefitting the community as we had envisaged in our draft business plans with our original appointed investor who has also been very supportive and we hope may be able to work alongside the purchaser in due course.”