Burtonwood’s Fiddle I’th Bag pub could become Pesto restaurant

The answer is yes, if planning documents submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department are anything to go by.

Earlier this month, it was reported that plans have been approved to restore and reopen the Fiddle I'th Bag Inn in Burtonwood.

The cherished village drinking spot has been closed for a number of years now and was the subject of an arson attack in March 2020

As a result of the fire, ‘extensive damage’ was caused to the building, with three fire engines attending and firefighters spending more than two hours tackling the blaze.

But the reopening of the Alder Lane pub looks to be a step closer, with plans suggesting the new applicant – a pub company called Trust Inns – wants to make it bigger and better than before.

And tucked away in a report as part of the application, the applicant produces a statement referencing Pesto restaurants and the success it has had transforming closed pubs.

The chain offers a ‘relaxed dining experience situated in a range of rural settings giving a true taste of little Italy’.

Among the locations of its current 10 restaurants are Widnes, Tarporley, Chester and the Trafford Centre.

In its operator’s statement, Trust Inns say: “There are a number of well documented reasons for the decline of the British pub, such as a general reduction in the consumption of draught beers, caused by changes in peoples’ habits and an increase in wine and foreign bottled beer consumption

“Pubs in non-residential locations such as the Fiddle I‘th Bag that simply offer a bar snack menu to compliment beer sales are finding it increasingly difficult to survive.

“For a public house to survive in the 21st century, it needs to be in a position to provide a very good quality food offer attracting people from a much wider area.

“ To be sustainable, the pub must offer a good quality food service, and the property developed to maximising peak trading periods. It is for these reasons that the applicant wishes to increase the trading area and car parking substantially.

“Pesto Restaurants operates nine hugely successful pub restaurants within the UK; all developed using similar failed closed down pubs.

Firefighters were called to an arson fire at the pub in March 2020

“Without maximising trading areas and car parking, the whole development is at risk of becoming a white elephant.

“The new kitchen needs to deliver a good quality safe food service experience with ample cold storage and allowing for good safe working practices and preventing cross contamination.”

A further statement suggests that the applicant will be spending ‘in excess of £1million, together with a further £250,000 to fit out the shell for operation’.

Moreover, the reopening would create five full-time jobs, as well as 25 roles at part-time.

Plans were previously approved in May 2020, however revised proposals seek to extend the floor area of the old application by 50-square metres.

This means the footprint of the pub would increase the by half what it is currently, including an extension on the left of the building.

The new glazed extension will ‘improve the kerb appeal and aesthetic’ of the building from the roadside, while the increase in size will allow for a ‘more viable’ business.

Plans also seek to tarmac the car park and complete new white line painting to offer 61 spaces, including five for accessibility cars.

Documents submitted as part of the application state: “The development of this site will create a viable business that will support the local community by creating employment, and it will boost the economic development of the area.

“The current proposal is to open with a leading north west restaurant operator which currently has 10 sites offering Great Italian Food in a pub setting.

“With the creation of around 30 jobs as part of the development in the current climate, it can only be seen as a benefit to the area.

“The site has been a pillar of the community for many years, and we plan to develop the site in order for it to be reopened, as it is currently not safe to do so.

“We believe the improvements will be beneficial to both the local area and community.”

Pesto was approached for a comment by the Warrington Guardian regarding the future of the pub.