Fives bar has been shut by Simon Rigby

Fives bar in Guildhall Street has closed.

In early December the cocktail bar and grill saw more ‘hands-on’ control from Simon Rigby who owns the building.

The multi-millionaire owner of the Guild Hall bought the building in 2016 and let it to Shaun Patchett.

Fives saw a major refit in the run up to reopening in early 2017.

However, Mr Rigby said after the Christmas period they had decided to make changes.

He confirmed to Blog Preston: “Yes, Fives has closed.

“We rolled our sleeves up and worked hard over the holidays to ensure no one was disappointed.

“However, we have been unable to agree terms with Shaun and therefore have decided to re-let Fives.”

All staff are understood to have been offered other jobs within the Rigby group’s hospitality arm.

Inside what was Fives. Credit: Katy Darby

Mr Rigby said: “We have a number of approaches but Fives is such an iconic building we plan to take out time and find a strong partner to develop Fives.”

It comes as Mr Rigby confirmed he had finished making changes to the Guild Hall’s food and drink arm.

He only controls LeVel directly with Review bar, Bonds and the former Vittorias restaurant all taken on by third parties.

Fives is due to be marketed by Parker and Company in the coming weeks.

A brief history of 49/51 Guildhall Street

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 2002 who has been working up to making the building a casino before selling the building to Simon Rigby in 2016.

Did you ever visit Fives? Let us know in the comments below