A Preston city centre cocktail lounge and bar has some new faces behind the bar.
AdvertisementBailiffs visited Fives bar in Guildhall Street during Friday (7 December) after changes to its lease.
Guild Hall owner Simon Rigby bought the bar in November 2016 and let it to London-based operator Shaun Patchett.
Notices from Direct Collection Bailiffs Limited appeared on the door on Friday morning and advised staff to call a number for more information. Mr Rigby says this was a ‘heavy-handed’ act and has since apologised.
Fives has remained open during Friday (7 December) and Mr Rigby has moved to clarify what’s happened.
Simon Rigby told Blog Preston: “It is very much business as usual it is just that Lisa and here team are now officially working with Fives rather than supporting from the bench.
“Shaun and I are working together to ensure Fives deliver a great Christmas for all their guests.
“Fives is a big operation and since we let ReView we are not conflicted at all so we are rolling our sleeves up and have the resources to help.
“Personal ambition for Tunde achieved as well as he will be working with Shaun in the iconic Fives.”
Fives had been active on social media during Thursday, posting about its cocktail offers and having put up its Christmas tree on 2 December.
The bar reopened in early 2017 after a major refit.
Read more: Beer Brothers take on the Mad Hatters ale bar
Built in 1878 the building is grade II listed and was the former Preston Conservative Club.
It became Fives and gained quite the reputation in Preston until it closed in 2006.
It re-opened in 2007 as the Cocktail Factory in the basement, and became Vintage Bar and Priory Bar upstairs.
The building closed in 2011 and was purchased by Edgar Wallace in 202 who has been working up to making the building a casino before selling the building to Simon Rigby in 2016.
Read more: Plau gin and ale bar opens in Friargate
Did you visit Fives? What do you think of the news? Let us know in the comments below