End of an era as historic landmark Burnley pub is demolished

Work began yesterday (Tuesday) on demolishing the former Bull and Butcher pub, a prominent building for many years at the top of Manchester Road.

The bulldozer moved in at the pub which had been empty for several years and was last used as an Indian restaurant.

And the demolition was captured on film by Burnley Express reader Mrs Hazel Wilkinson who lives just yards away from the site on Rossendale Avenue.

She said: "Another landmark in Burnley bites the dust.

"I have many happy memories of time spent there when it was the Bull and Butcher and also as the Indian restaurant.

"It is very sad to see it go."

After it was gutted by a huge blaze in April owners, Preston-based San Marco Group, submitted an application to Burnley Borough Council to demolish the landmark pub.

Permission for the demolition was granted earlier this month.

Work had started on the preparation of construction drawings before the arsonists, who have never been caught, struck, rendering the building in a dangerous condition.

Concerns were also raised regarding the stability of the building, and following visits from various insurance surveyors, San Marco could no longer obtain Public Liability Insurance for the building on safety grounds. This signalled the death knell for the Bull and Butcher.

The present Bull and Butcher was not the original pub built on the site.

It originally consisted of a public house, two cottages and a barn or storage unit with a slidingdoor.

At some time, probably less than 100 years ago, the original pub was demolished and a new more ornate building was erected, which was higher with a more eclectic facade.