nightlife in blackburn

[Ewood Spark]

Now I've only met you briefly once or twice Neil and from that I have got to say I do quite like you, and that is why I have selected these carefully and in the order that I want them to be interpreted......

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No hard feelings I hope.

I was quite enjoying this debate ... shame really that your arguments ran out.

[cletus]

I think Theno & Ewood Spark both have their fair points

Gordon is correct in the demographic of the town kind of halves the 'going out' population. Of that 'going out' population, probably the average age of town centre revellers is 18-40, which again halves that population. The cost of living has gone up. People have modern bills to add to the traditional bills of gas ,lecky, rent/mortgage (mobiles & sky tv etc....) Life is getting more expensive, if you want to keep up with the trends (as most young people do) Something`s got to give....mobiles & sky are ways of life for most youngsters these days.

Ewood Spark is correct about the natural routes around the town centre being blocked off.

...but there is a third point & fourth point.

The third is the smoking ban.

It killed a lot of pubs off. I work for a brewery & 'ontrade' sales dropped 25% almost overnight, when the ban came in. I don`t smoke myself (used to) but smokers don`t want to be treated like 2nd class citizens. A good few 'every night drinkers & smokers' in my local simply stopped coming in. It didn`t bother me, but it must`ve affected takings over the bar.

The fourth point.

I do believe drinking cultures are changing. A lot more people drink at home these days. It`s so easy to pick up a box of buds/stella/san miguel etc... for under a tenner from any supermarket or local offy. There`s oodles of choice for wine lovers. You can pick up a couple of decent bottles from the same outlets for the price of several glasses of the same stuff in pubs.

How far will a tenner stretch in a pub these days? Three or four drinks at most. I can buy a box of the same stuff for that.

People still drink, but 'how' they drink is changing.

[thenodrog]

I think Theno & Ewood Spark both have their fair points

Gordon is correct in the demographic of the town kind of halves the 'going out' population. Of that 'going out' population, probably the average age of town centre revellers is 18-40, which again halves that population. The cost of living has gone up. People have modern bills to add to the traditional bills of gas ,lecky, rent/mortgage (mobiles & sky tv etc....) Life is getting more expensive, if you want to keep up with the trends (as most young people do) Something`s got to give....mobiles & sky are ways of life for most youngsters these days.

Ewood Spark is correct about the natural routes around the town centre being blocked off.

...but there is a third point & fourth point.

The third is the smoking ban.

It killed a lot of pubs off. I work for a brewery & 'ontrade' sales dropped 25% almost overnight, when the ban came in. I don`t smoke myself (used to) but smokers don`t want to be treated like 2nd class citizens. A good few 'every night drinkers & smokers' in my local simply stopped coming in. It didn`t bother me, but it must`ve affected takings over the bar.

The fourth point.

I do believe drinking cultures are changing. A lot more people drink at home these days. It`s so easy to pick up a box of buds/stella/san miguel etc... for under a tenner from any supermarket or local offy. There`s oodles of choice for wine lovers. You can pick up a couple of decent bottles from the same outlets for the price of several glasses of the same stuff in pubs.

How far will a tenner stretch in a pub these days? Three or four drinks at most. I can buy a box of the same stuff for that.

People still drink, but 'how' they drink is changing.

Town centre nightlife is for meeing mates and pulling (or the possibility that one might) as well as drinking cletus. People can't do that at home with just a few cans of stella and MoTD for company. If there are no members of the opposite sex down town then people go where there are some. And a few closed off shops wont stop em either.

[thenodrog]

I was quite enjoying this debate ... shame really that your arguments ran out.

btw Ewood Spark... my arguments did not run out so don't be so eager with the supercillious comments please. You say 50:50 makes no difference!! Well imagine there being no split in another 20 years or so and the population becoming 75% teetotal1! Do you still think the town centre will return to former glories? How about when it's 100%? There simply will be non of your issues to "hopefully address" will there?

Like Nero you are fiddling whilst Blackburn burns. You simply cannot see the wood for the trees or more likely your outdated liberal principles won't let you. Think of Blackburn town centre as a business, which business can lose 50% of it's customers, recognise the downward curve continuing and not be in serious trouble? Until you can recognise all the sides to the situation there really is no point continuing debating this topic with you.

[DE.]

Town centre nightlife is for meeing mates and pulling (or the possibility that one might) as well as drinking cletus. People can't do that at home with just a few cans of stella and MoTD for company. If there are no members of the opposite sex down town then people go where there are some. And a few closed off shops wont stop em either.

That's true Theno, but I know many, many people now (especially youngsters, 18/19/20 years old) who spend their nights playing Call of Duty/FIFA on their X-Box with their mates (sometimes together, sometimes remotely connected via the net). In terms of pulling and flirting I've lost count of the amount of couple I know who "met" over either myspace or facebook. The internet is changing the way people interact, and I think it's underestimated as a factor in why youngsters aren't going out to bars and clubs as much as they used to. It's difficult to say how big of an impact it's having, but even five/ten years ago the attitudes towards the internet and consoles were not the same as they are now.

I should add that it isn't limited to the younger members of society... an older single fella who ten years ago may have gone out to try his luck at a bar can now use facebook or a dating website. It's much easier to be confident behind a keyboard.

Edited August 8, 2011 by DE4life

[adopted scouser]

single fella who ten years ago may have gone out to try his luck at a bar can now use facebook or a dating website. It's much easier to be confident behind a keyboard.

True, having a crafty crank in the middle of the postal order will probably get you thrown out

[Steve Moss]

I should add that it isn't limited to the younger members of society... an older single fella who ten years ago may have gone out to try his luck at a bar can now use facebook or a dating website. It's much easier to be confident behind a keyboard.

I'm 45 years old. I'm the eldest of 7. My youngest sibling is 21. I have noticed a distinct change in how my three youngest siblings (2 girls and a boy) date as compared to the three eldest (all 40+ year old males, including me). While we went to clubs, sports bars and house/block parties, but actually found our wives in the classroom or at work, the youngest three all seem to find their significant others via the internet. And not necessarily dating sites. The online games with thousands of players seems to be a bit of social interaction service also. I'm not sure the new system is an improvement.

The one thirty something is useless for comparison as she has been married and a mom since her early 20s.

[Ewood Spark]

btw Ewood Spark... my arguments did not run out so don't be so eager with the supercillious comments please. You say 50:50 makes no difference!! Well imagine there being no split in another 20 years or so and the population becoming 75% teetotal1! Do you still think the town centre will return to former glories? How about when it's 100%? There simply will be non of your issues to "hopefully address" will there?

Like Nero you are fiddling whilst Blackburn burns. You simply cannot see the wood for the trees or more likely your outdated liberal principles won't let you. Think of Blackburn town centre as a business, which business can lose 50% of it's customers, recognise the downward curve continuing and not be in serious trouble? Until you can recognise all the sides to the situation there really is no point continuing debating this topic with you.

Sorry Gordon to labour a point, but you seem to be struggling with it. Both cletus and DE4life make interesting points about why drinking/ socialising habits are changing ... but these are generic to any city or town across Britain. The point of this thread is to discuss why Blackburn's nightlife apparently took a step change for the worse circa 10 years ago. The demographic profile did NOT take a similar step change at that time .... but the viable routes across the town centre did. I remember when the Mall was not only a through route but actually hosted watering hole of it's own (The Clarence). These FACTS may not fit your agenda, but that is what they are ... FACTS. By the way if you are after a good night out try Leicester ... soon to be the first predominantly Asian city in the UK ... And still a cracking night out.

[thenodrog]

True, having a crafty crank in the middle of the postal order will probably get you thrown out

Or even a 'wafty crank'.

[scunnyrover]

Ended up having to book travelodge. Looked at premier inn last week, a room for 29 quid. Thought it was a right bargain, didn't bother booking it until I had tickets, bought tickets for the game yesterday and then found out premier inn was fully booked. Gutted.

Had to pay abit more for travelodge but nevermind ###### happens.

[TAFKAP]

Quite an interesting discussion this. I'm not sure Gordon's demographic point is the sole factor to why Blackburn's night time economy has dwindled, but I suspect it does play a small part. I'm not familiar with Blackburn's central geographical layout, but I would find it hard to believe that a physical divide would be detrimental to the town's nightlife.

Preston's night time economy is played out in two areas, Friargate & Church St/Fishergate, yet many people walk or catch a cab to and fro the two halves of the city.

As for the OP, enjoy your night out.

[K-Hod]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14737113.__65k_refurb_to_bring_300_capacity_Cellar_Bar_back_to_the_heart_of_town_nightlife/

I've got very many good memories of The Cellar Bar from years back. I suppose it's a start, but there's plenty of work to be done to get the nightlife anywhere near where it was. There's a Turtle Bay (Caribbean restaurant) opening in the Cathedral Quarter next year also.....

Edited September 12, 2016 by K-Hod

[Husky]

Blackburn is completely dead isn't it? That's all I hear from the taxi drivers every time I come back.

I'd hate to be growing up there nowadays.

I guess that's what happens when the 'demographics' of a town change dramatically.

[Gav]

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/14737113.__65k_refurb_to_bring_300_capacity_Cellar_Bar_back_to_the_heart_of_town_nightlife/

I've got very many good memories of The Cellar Bar from years back. I suppose it's a start, but there's plenty of work to be done to get the nightlife anywhere near where it was. There's a Turtle Bay (Caribbean restaurant) opening in the Cathedral Quarter next year also.....

Watched Nigel Benn fight Gerald Mcclellan in the Cellar Bar, seen the Courteeners play a free gig, good venue.

Lets hope its the start of a revival.

[K-Hod]

Blackburn is completely dead isn't it? That's all I hear from the taxi drivers every time I come back.

I'd hate to be growing up there nowadays.

I guess that's what happens when the 'demographics' of a town change dramatically.

The demographics are only a small piece of the puzzle. They weren't that different about 10 years ago when plenty of bars were open and people travelled from out of town to go there (I.e. Me and many others). Edited September 13, 2016 by K-Hod

[JBiz]

Was involved with the Napier reopening and hopeful of getting down tomorrow- any more BRFCCers ever go there? I can imagine abbey with his music taste might be one!

[ABBEY]

I only saw it was reopening tomorrow earlier this week and a rock god is opening it. Gutted as we have had arrangements for a night out tonight with friends and are going for a meal. I will be trying to persuade them to go but there's only me into metal so I don't think I will win.

[Gav]

Was involved with the Napier reopening and hopeful of getting down tomorrow- any more BRFCCers ever go there? I can imagine abbey with his music taste might be one!

I used to go in during the 80's and early 90's, used to play a good mix of music, not just that heavy metal cr@p, but plenty of indie also.

[ABBEY]

Wash your mouth out !!!

[MCMC1875]

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Edited September 19, 2016 by MCMC1875

[MCMC1875]

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Edited September 19, 2016 by MCMC1875

[yoda]

Was involved with the Napier reopening and hopeful of getting down tomorrow- any more BRFCCers ever go there? I can imagine abbey with his music taste might be one!

Have they still got the football table?

[JBiz]

Have they still got the football table?

Yes they have indeed! Not had much done in terms of look but from speaking to the current team involved, lots have been done behind the scenes and much still to do. The beer was good to be fair, and they've had an upgrade in sound upstairs for bands.

May be there on Friday yet.

[yoda]

Yes they have indeed! Not had much done in terms of look but from speaking to the current team involved, lots have been done behind the scenes and much still to do. The beer was good to be fair, and they've had an upgrade in sound upstairs for bands.

May be there on Friday yet.

Will have to get down one night and re impose the natural order on the table

[Husky]

My dad said that once upon a time people used to come from London for a night out at The Cavendish.