THE LAST OF THE DANIEL LAMBERT

Demolition of the Daniel Lambert pub

15th September 2008

The Daniel Lambert pub closed about two to three years ago and the building deteriorated rapidly after that. The last landlord tried to keep it going and to develop the restaurant side but without enough financial help from the brewery, his efforts failed. Sadly the empty building became a focal point for anti-social behaviour – vandalism and fighting. Local residents were sorry to see the pub decline and go.

Beverley Tiday was sorry to see it go. “The elderly people around here, particularly if they don't drive, have nowhere to go for a chat. It's such a mess. We need a restaurant or bar or somewhere for children.”

Colin Walker has lived near the pub for forty-six years. He said, “I am gutted that the pub has now gone. I knew every landlord. Now I stay at home every night and I miss seeing people. That pub was the funniest one you could ever visit. There used to be skittles, football, darts and dominoes teams. Now it's all gone. The building was good and well built so I never thought they would knock it down. Everyone on an estate should have somewhere to go, but there is nothing now.”

Plans that were approved in July ‘08 include a detached bungalow with two off street parking places and a private garden; seven town houses with one parking place per unit and garden space; a three-storey block of six self-contained flats with one parking space per unit, communal garden at the rear, cycle and bin storage. The downstairs flats have their own gardens. This planning application lasts for three years before the work is required to start.

None of the local people expect any development at present because of the financial climate.

Helen Pettman