A MAINSTAY of Chester’s nightlife will close its doors for the final time on Sunday night.
Brannigans night club, bar and restaurant, Foregate Street, Chester, will close this weekend blaming tougher trading conditions and increased competition in the city.
“I’m very sorry to see it go, I used to manage the place in its hey day,” said area manager Darren Lee of Cougar Leisure, who own the site.
“The last thing we wanted to see was it closing but we had to make this choice.
“It is due to the trading conditions, the business just isn’t there, and it was purely a commercial decision to close the venue.”
Brannigans first opened in the former ABC cinema building in 1995 and the bar was refurbished in 1998 and 2005.
“About 30 staff will lose their jobs, although the majority are part time positions,” added Darren.
“The building is still ours and we still have Brannigans in Romford, Manchester and Blackpool but we are closing the building this weekend, Sunday will be the last trading night
“It’s a mixture of everything, increased competition, the economy, less money, later licenses more small bars, but unfortunately that’s the way it is.”
The venue has seen celebrity appearances, including tabloid queen Kerry McFadden, regularly hosted charity events and ran the official students night for about five years.
Chester University Students Union vice chairman Ben Massey said: “Up until the summer we had been going to Brannigans on Wednesday and it was the biggest student night of the week.
“Speaking as a former student, it was an absolutely brilliant place and everyone went there.
“It was very student friendly and for many that like it, it will be the end of an era.”
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