Stringfellow inspires local bar owners

Rochdale bar owners Mark Foxley and Martyn Turner with Peter Stringfellow at the Bar Show.

Advice from Peter Stringfellow helped two bar owners in Rochdale win awards at the Rochdale Town Centre business awards evening last Friday (4 September).

Mark Foxley and Martyn Turner, owners of the Mango and Pacific bars in the town centre, met Mr Stringfellow in London recently and his motivation paid off as Mango won best bar/club and best overall venue in the 'Best Bar None' awards.

Mr Foxley and Mr Turner attended the Bar Show at Earl's Court in London earlier this year, where Mr Stringfellow was the guest speaker. He spoke of his difficult early days in Sheffield and the constantly moving marketplace. Afterwards he joined the Rochdale duo for a more detailed discussion and offered advice and support. He told them to be the best at what they do and to never stand still in a changing marketplace.

The Rochdale bar owners have just finished a refurbishment of their former 'Honey' venue on South Parade. The new venue will be called 'East' with 'Coast' upstairs and will officially reopen on Saturday 19 September.

Mark Foxley said: "We are keen to work with the Police, RMBC Licensing, Community Safety & Town Centre Management as our partners in continuing to reduce alcohol-related disorder and crime. All of our venues, Mango, Pacific, East and Coast, gained Best Bar None accreditation and are encouraging positive behaviour in the night-time economy of our town centre.”

Martyn Turner added: “Best Bar None provides an excellent opportunity for licensees to demonstrate to official agencies just how well they manage their own businesses. It is also an opportunity for positive dialogue between all parties and we are of course delighted Mango won best bar & best overall venue.

“Following the bad press of three years ago, and the expected problems from later opening hours that never resulted, our Town centre is now safer than ever before and in terms of standards, procedures and practices, as good as other Best Bar None towns and cities such as Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.”