LOYAL pub regulars have launched a campaign to save its popular managers from losing their livelihood and home.

After seven years running the Papermakers in Church Street East, Radcliffe, Mr Steven Timothy (41) and his partner, Miss Julie Taylor (33) have been told that they have to leave.

But customers are refusing to accept "last orders" without a fight and plan to petition the brewery to let them stay.

Campaign leader Mr Donald Seymour (47), who has been playing darts and dominoes at the pub for 15 years, said: "We don't want them to leave and we know they don't want to go.

"Steve and Julie have always been friendly and have always gone out of their way to make sure we all have a good night.

"They have driven players to away venues in their transport, got involved by playing for the teams, supplied good food - often out of their own pocket, made the away teams feel welcome, and always served a cracking pint!"

Mr Seymour has written to Mr Peter Kershaw, a director of Joseph Holt Brewery, inviting him and his wife to a night out at the pub. But all he has had in reply is a confirmation that the pub will be refurbished shortly and an expression of hope that the new managers will receive loyal support from customers.

Mr Seymour, of Wellington Street, asked: "Do the men at the top know what's going on? Do they care about their regulars and what we think? What about customer relations?"

Although trade in the pub has declined in the last couple of years, the regulars believe it is part of a local trend and nothing to do with the management.

Mr Seymour, captain of the domino team, said the lack of Sky television in the Papermakers meant that people reluctantly went to other pubs if they wanted to watch televised sport.

He also said that parking restrictions and blocked roads, which were introduced as part of the nearby East Lancashire Paper Mill development, had deterred customers.

"We feel the brewery has neglected the pub. For two years we have expected a minor refurbishment, maybe some new wallpaper, or re-covering of the seats in the tap-room.

"Many of our wives love to come in the pub to support us, but they are fed-up with laddering their tights on the seats!"

Manager Mr Timothy said: "We've been very touched by the support but I don't think there's anything we can do now."

They have to vacate the pub on June 1 and could face unemployment. But as well as losing their livelihood they will also lose their home because they live at the pub.

"We've got two lads who go to local schools, so that's going to be another problem," he said.

Mr Steven Leech, the brewery's tied trade manager, said that after seven years' good service it was decided that, for the benefit of the pub and Mr Timothy, he should move to pastures new.

He said Mr Timothy could have worked at another pub within the company if he had wanted.

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