A LANDLORD has handed in his notice to leave a Blackburn pub amid concerns over when they can reopen after the coronavirus crisis.

Bobby Mullin took over the Ivy Hotel in mid-February after working as a barman at the Clifton Arms for over 10 years. and followed in the footsteps of his auntie at the Infirmary Street pub.

Despite a positive month-long spell, the 28-year-old was forced to shut to the doors due to the lockdown.

The dad-of-two announced on social media on Tuesday they had handed in their notice to stand down but will continue to work for another three months .

Bobby said: “It is the very last thing I wanted to do, but family comes first always. It was a shame as it is a proper family pub and it is a hub for the community and young families.

“We were really busy on the opening night with Rovers fans coming in.

“It was hard at the beginning of lockdown as we did not know how long we would have to shut for, if it was for a day, a week, or a month.

“We still don’t know, that is the problem. It has been a hard decision but we had to do it in the cooling-off period otherwise we would have been tied for another six months.

“We need to see going forward whether it is financially viable to reopen.

“Everyone is quick to blame breweries in times like this but it is not the case as Thwaites only charged us rent. People who use the pub have been trying to arrange fundraising for us. These people were strangers but have now become friends.”

Bobby added he has received a business grant, but that was all the support he has been given as he does not have accounts for the past 12 months in order to claim.

He added: “I have spoken to a couple of other landlords and they are worried sick due to the uncertainty of the future.

"I don’t know whether it will be financially viable with social distancing and having less people in.”