Petition launched to save bar
SUPPORTERS of a bar facing the axe have launched a petition to try and save it.
People who use the Cellar Bar in Stamford Arts Centre in St Mary's Hill have launched the petition, which they intend to present to bosses at South Kesteven District Council later this month.
They want as many people as possible to put pen to paper in a bid to save the bar or at least keep a meeting place open at the arts centre and have formed a group called The Friends of the Cellar Bar.
Andy Croft, who has run the bar as a franchise for 13 years, said the support he had received from his customers and in reader letters in the Mercury had prompted the petition.
A group set up on social networking website Facebook has also got about 50 members.
Mr Croft said: "The closure has hit a raw nerve with a lot of people who use the Cellar Bar as a meeting place.
"I would ask everyone who has voiced their support for the bar to sign the petition. Maybe the petition will help change the district council's decision."
Mr Croft said people who use the bar were disappointed they had not been consulted on the closure.
The licensed bar, which is open in the evening Monday to Saturday and during every performance, is due to close in October.
The district council has put the closure down to low customer numbers and said it was reviewing what the room could be used for. It has received inquiries about hiring it out. There will still be pre-show and interval refreshments on sale.
Head of assets at the district council Paul Stokes said: "We are aware of the petition. However our position is unchanged.
"We have ourselves had significant support for our proposals from a number of arts centre patrons who support our decision so long as we make provision for refreshments before, during and after performances, which we intend to do."
There are petitions to sign at the Cellar Bar and in the Mercury offices in Sheep Market, Stamford.
Anyone who wants a petition can also e-mail cellarbarfriends@gmail.com.
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Monday 06 February 2012
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