Blackburn landlord launches shuttle bus between his two pubs (From Blackburn Citizen)
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Blackburn landlord launches shuttle bus between his two pubs
11:00pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News
By Lisa Woodhouse, Assistant picture editor
Darren Heggie on his shuttle bus – with him (from left) are Danielle Slinger, Dan Stephens and Callum Donaldso.
A BLACKBURN landlord has introduced a free fun bus to transport revellers between his two pubs as a way to combat struggling trade.
Landlord Darren Heggie is encouraging people to hop aboard the service between the Havelock Inn, in Havelock Street, and the Mill Hill Hotel, in Bridge Street, on Saturday nights.
He said: “The pub trade is struggling. You can’t just open the doors and expect people to come in any more. You need to do things to attract them, and put entertainment on.”
Darren, 33, who has run the Havelock Inn for around five years, said the idea of the shuttle bus came to him after he took over the Mill Hill Hotel around a month ago.
He then bought the eight-seater bus which is being driven by pal Albert Finn between the two pubs – which are a quarter of a mile apart.
He said: “We want customers to be able to enjoy going to a couple of pubs without having to pay for a taxi.
“It’s just that little bit too far to walk, especially in bad weather, and not really far enough for a taxi.
“This will save our customers a few quid so they can have another pint instead.”
The first service ran last Saturday and will continue every Saturday night initially between 7pm and 11pm.
It will leave from the Havelock Inn on the hour and the half hour, and leave from the Mill Hill at quarter past and quarter to the hour.
Darren said: “The first shuttle service had about 80 people on board over the night. I think that when people hear more about it, it will attract more people.”
He said as trade starts to pick up at the Mill Hill, he plans to add more entertainment to the schedule and expand the shuttle service over the weekend.
Comments(14)
nil bye mouth
says...
11:47pm Fri 28 Sep 12
Rimbus
says...
12:34am Sat 29 Sep 12
2 for 5p
says...
1:09am Sat 29 Sep 12
Quarter of a mile you re prob talking 3 1/2 minutes, bone idle swine.
tpreece01
says...
1:24am Sat 29 Sep 12
Rimbus wrote:**** you, beat me to it!
Is Callum Donaldso old enough to be drinking that?
in it to win it
says...
4:16am Sat 29 Sep 12
1, Darren is only 33...
2, Albert is driving...
in it to win it
says...
4:17am Sat 29 Sep 12
1, Darren is only 33...
2, Albert is driving...
BRFCBrabant
says...
8:28am Sat 29 Sep 12
in it to win it wrote:And the fact he goes by the name Mad Albert is worrying indeed. haha
Two things worry me about this...
1, Darren is only 33...
2, Albert is driving...
Jarisleif5
says...
3:48pm Sat 29 Sep 12
in it to win it wrote:What's the problem with his age? He's been in the pub trade for years.
Two things worry me about this...
1, Darren is only 33...
2, Albert is driving...
POW WOW
says...
8:05pm Sat 29 Sep 12
2 for 5p
says...
7:31am Sun 30 Sep 12
Theo
says...
7:37am Sun 30 Sep 12
Rimbus
says...
3:48pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Theo wrote:A fully paid up member of MENSA I assume?
Well worth the ride just to listen to Albert for 5 min.
goz
says...
9:41pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Rimbus wrote:Top bloke is Albert, don't underestimate him whatsoever !!
Theo wrote:A fully paid up member of MENSA I assume?
Well worth the ride just to listen to Albert for 5 min.
nil bye mouth says...
11:47pm Fri 28 Sep 12