Historic Preston pub The Blue Bell to reopen ahead of Christmas after 10-month closure
A historic pub in the centre of Preston will reopen in time for Christmas after closing 10 months ago.
The Blue Bell in Church Street, part of the Samuel Smiths brewery chain, will reopen under new management on Wednesday, December 10, according to reports.
The new landlords are said to have already taken the keys to the pub and are busy fixing it up ahead of the reopening in two weeks time.
The Grade II listed building dates back to 1716 and was given a facelift in recent years, but closed its doors without notice in February.
The operator, Samuel Smiths, had strict rules about ‘tech use’ inside the pub and mobile phones, laptops and tablets were all banned. The brewery also refused to allow TVs or music to be played. It’s not known whether the Blue Bell will continue as a ‘tech-free zone’ when the doors reopen next month.
The Yorkshire-based pub group was approached for comment.
The 310-year-old boozer is also believed to be haunted by the ghost of a 16-year-old girl, understood to be the landlord's daughter, who was reportedly murdered by her fiancé in 1881.