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Telegraph
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Inside the 100-year-old Tory club that defected to Reform
A plaque has marked the 1927 founding of a Conservative club for the past 100 years. But now, behind the sign Tory defectors sup £2.60 pints at the world's first Reform UK bar. The Talbot in Blackpool rebranded this week with a Reform-blue paint job and new signage, marking the first Tory club to turn to Reform UK. Following sweeping success in the local elections, the party says it is confident more pubs will follow suit across the country as it looks to capitalise on its growing grass roots support. Pete Flynn and Nick Lowe, the landlords, are awaiting a visit from 'nice chap' Nigel Farage, who promised to drop by once they were up and running. Punters have flocked from as far as Glasgow, Hull and even Northern Ireland to mark the re-opening. Mr Flynn, 53, wearing a shirt and Reform-coloured tie, and with a pint in hand, told The Telegraph he was proud to have created the first Reform UK club. 'Labour started off somewhere and the Conservatives started somewhere in the 19th century,' he said. 'Everything has got to start somewhere and we thought we would be the first. 'The reaction we have had has been absolutely fantastic.' On Wednesday, locals arrived ahead of the official midday opening time to make sure they were settled down in time for Prime Minister's Questions. Mr Lowe, 56, added: 'People have had enough.' In this month's local elections, Reform UK took control of 10 councils and won two mayoral races. It also added a fifth MP, Sarah Pochin, in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. Kitted out with two full-size snooker tables, two pool tables for just 50p a play, darts boards, and a couple of fruit machines, The Talbot has all the usual amenities of a social club. The pie and mash will only set you back £3.20, a popular chicken curry can be had for just £3.50 or £5 Sunday roasts are on offer. There is also a function room upstairs that can accommodate 80 people, which is set to be used for the Reform's regional AGM. The owners decided on the fresh rebrand after being approached by Mark Butcher, the party's regional chair, and deciding it was a 'cracking idea' earlier this year. Mr Flynn and Mr Lowe say footfall and business have increased during the first few days of the pub's new lease of life which they have owned since 2009. As GB News blared from several screens inside, most pub-goers sat out on the newly painted terrace enjoying their cheap drinks when The Telegraph visited. Louise Sedoskie, 52, said she was happy with the 'brilliant' rebrand. 'Labour have hurt a lot of people – I think it's disgusting what [Sir Keir] Starmer has done,' the carer said of Government policies including winter fuel and welfare cuts. 'But this will help people come together.' Steve Atkinson, 64, said the north of England had been 'crushed' in recent years and Reform was the only answer. 'How can a Sir be in charge of Labour, it's a working class party,' he said. 'We have got to see what Reform can do now. 'If Farage can keep the promises he makes I'd be a happy man.' First-timers Liam O'Brien and Vicky Frost arrived to check out the re-brand, with former Mr O'Brien, a former RAF chief, saying: 'I'm happy with it. 'There used to be more of these places that support the British community.' Antino Wynn, 27, used to be a Conservative member but said he switched allegiance to Reform following Liz Truss's premiership. The night porter suggested people were being drawn to Reform after seeing no life improvements during successive Tory and Labour governments. 'In the north and Midlands, where 'levelling up' was supposed to happen, it hasn't brought the prosperity that has been promised,' he said. 'They are looking for an alternative and Reform is the only party saying what people are thinking and feeling.' For Mr Flynn, who is currently undergoing Reform's vetting procedure to try to stand for the party in the area, and Mr Lowe, it is the party's 'common sense approach' that appeals. The hopeful candidate said the Prime Minister's 'island of strangers' and subsequent immigration white paper was 'the biggest U-turn in British political history'. Nick Evans, a 58-year-old factory worker, summed up the mood of pub-goers by saying unpopular Labour policies would leave the party scrambling for votes. Despite taking over the Conservative club, it is Sir Keir's party at risk from Reform at the next general election in the Blackpool South constituency. 'I don't know anyone that would vote for him now,' Mr Evans said of the Prime Minister. 'It would amaze me if he ever got elected again.' A Reform UK spokesman said: 'While Conservative clubs are closing down and going out of business much like their party, Reform pubs are on their way. 'The results of the local elections show that there is huge support for Reform right across the country so we are confident the Talbot won't be the only Reform pub for long.'
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Liverpool dance school devastated by late-night blaze
A dance school has been forced to close temporarily after it was ravaged by Edge, owner of Jade Studios in Clubmoor, Liverpool, was called by Merseyside Fire And Rescue Service just after midnight on Thursday to be told the building was ablaze. Ms Edge, 47, said the fire had caused thousands of pounds of damage to equipment that was stored in the school, which is in the former Conservative Club where The Beatles once played. She said she was now desperately trying to find a new venue for a community show that was supposed to be happening on Sunday. Ms Edge said: "Someone had apparently started a fire on the other side of the fence, which it burned through, and then got into an air vent in my building and spread from there."The damage to the room is horrendous."She added that special dance mats that cost £2,000 and £800 had been completely destroyed, and that she was now waiting to see when the building would be safe to school opened in 2012 and has about 100 children, mainly from the local area, on its books at any one time. Merseyside Fire And Rescue Service said: "Fire crews gained access to the building, with four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus fighting the fire in the roof space with main jets and hose reels. "After extinguishing the main body of fire, crews checked for hot spots with Thermal Imaging Cameras and ventilated the building."The spokesman said an investigation was Police has been approached for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jamaican street food business 'buzzing' for move into town venue
A Jamaican street food chef and entrepreneur says he is "buzzing" for his next adventure in a "no-brainer" move to a new venue. CRAIGS da FLAVA, run by Deron 'Craig' Coleman, has been serving hungry customers at The Pykkerell Inn in Bury St Edmunds since July 2024. Mr Coleman, who was born in Kingston, Jamaica and moved to England when he was 10, has now revealed he is moving his business to Thetford Conservative Club. Deron 'Craig' Coleman (right) with Jim Callinan (left) of The Pykkerell inn (Image: CRAIGS da FLAVA) The 45-year-old said: "We've really enjoyed being at The Pykkerell and they were amazing to us. "Unfortunately, some logistics meant that I needed a bit more independence. "So, when we were approached by the Conservative Club and they said 'Hey, your Facebook is gaining traction and your food is amazing', well, to be honest, we were very excited. "Then they showed me the kitchen, and well, it was a done deal." Mr Coleman, who is known by his friends and family as Craig, will be serving food from the new venue from Friday, January 7. He added: "I am really passionate about cooking and we make real authentic Caribbean food. "This is a brilliant opportunity for our business to go further and I am buzzing. "It's a no-brainer really. CRAIGS da FLAVA's jerk fried chicken is one of the most popular items on the menu. (Image: CRAIGS da FLAVA) "We have now signed a six-month contract with them and they understand our product. "We are also working with them to make the food suit their audience." Mr Coleman is supported by his partner Rachel and is the father of seven children. Despite the demands, he says he is determined to make the business a success. The takeaway will also be offering Jamaican twists on other cuisines like sweet and sour chicken and traditional English roast dinner. (Image: CRAIGS da FLAVA) The father of seven added: "I doubt myself every day but I keep on pushing as I want to make this work "Sometimes I feel like I can't do it but my wife tells me to shut up and keep going and she's amazing. "I'm a big family man and I want to make this work for my family so I'm excited for this move. "We want to be loud about our product and I want everyone in Thetford to know we can stand tall against any other takeaway. "Let's see what happens." Thetford Conservative Club, where CRAIGS da FLAVA will now be based. (Image: CRAIGS da FLAVA) CRAIGS da FLAVA will be serving from the Conservative Club in Magdalen Street on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and their menu can be found on their Facebook page. Members of the club can eat at the venue while takeaway will be open to the public.
