Rock on! New hope for Whittles

Whittles pub: may continue as a music venue

ROCK haunt Whittles could still have a future as a live music venue following the pub’s closure on Sunday.

The owners, Here For You Hospitality, have sold the King Street venue’s lease to new management.

Landlord Keef Lawrence and his wife Sharon have run the pub for the past six years.

Mr Lawrence (62) said: “Three years ago everything was hunky dory, but income has been getting less and less. Bands have been taking a reduction in pay, but with everything on top, it’s not been enough.

“We had a cracking night on Saturday and people I have not seen for years came down — some travelling up to 60 miles to join us on our final weekend.”

Mike Wardell, managing director of Here For You Hospitality, said the new managers seem “very keen” to continue Whittles under the same name as a live music venue.