ramboacdc Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Lamplighters-pub-Leicester-shut-American-diner/story-28723552-detail/story.html The "infamous" Lamp Lighters pub is to be closed and turned into a 1950s-style American diner. Owners Geoffrey Thornton and Alistair Smith, who took it over a year ago, have given up in their attempts to tame the city centre venue, in Silver Street, which has a reputation for rows and violence. The pair tried increasing drinks prices and hiring new door staff in a bid to "sort it out", but Mr Thrnton said the pub was still attracting people whose arguments often led to fights. He said: "The Lamp Lighters is infamous in Leicester and that building has been like that for about 40 years now. "We acquired it thinking we could sort it out, but we can't. "To the great relief of a lot of people, we're going to close it on February 28." The news was greeted with joy along pedestrianised Silver Street, which is home to a wide range of independent shops, restaurants and the historic Globe pub, and forms part of The Lanes shopping area. One shop employee said: "That's a big relief. The clientele haven't exactly been great for Silver Street. "There are often incidents out in the street along here - fights or loud arguments. "I think businesses around here will generally be very happy to hear it's closing." A woman working nearby said: "It's going to be a big improvement for the street - there's quite a lot of noise and occasional fighting, too. "It will make a massive difference in the summer months. It could be a really nice street to stroll down." Another shop worker, when told the pub was closing, rolled his head back and said: "Thank God. That's the best news I've heard all year." The new American diner will be called Jumping Jacks and seat 140 people. It will serve classic US fare, including hotdogs, burgers, pizza, ribs and chicken wings. Builders have already begun work, following the closure of the basement nightclub, The Cellar Bar, just over two weeks ago. Mr Thornton said he had great hopes for the new restaurant. He said: "It's a great location and it has entrances onto the High Street as well as the other door near The Lanes shopping area. "I know the restaurant sounds similar to other things going on in Leicester but I think it will stand out by being very '50s and rock'n'roll." Mr Thornton and Mr Smith already own Taps, a restaurant and bar in nearby Guildhall Lane, and they are in the process of converting one of Leicester's oldest buildings, Wygston's House, just off Jubilee Square, into a high-end eatery. Mr Thornton said: "Wygston's House is going to be serving English food made with local produce. "We're working on that at the moment. It's a listed building so we're limited with what we can do with it but it's a great building and it's going to be high-end dining."
sphericalfox Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 I do hope this is all sorted before the transfer window starts. Could be all the difference.
Jaspa Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 All those scallies arent just going to disappear, theyll turn up somewhere else. Either that or they have to start serving up american pancakes with Special Bru syrup
MPH Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 alwaya a fight in there,if you wanted one. and even if you didnt...
Len Finsbury Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Good. This has been a dump for years and years. You only ever went in there because you couldn't believe it was still as bad as it was the last time. It was like being a ghoul... one of those people that want to see what's going on in car crashes. Should have burned it down!
Soar Fox Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Shame, I liked the place if you just took it for what it was. I never had any trouble in there myself, always used to go in there Christmas Eve afternoon watch the karaoke few cheap pints and watch the bloke who sold knocked off meat in there to people.
Finnegan Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Don't worry @@MattP, the Tavern isn't going anywhere.
Guest MattP Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 I've not been in for a few months but I'm a bit dissapointed to see it go, the pub certainly had characters and more important characters. I wonder what will take it's place, Tavern must be delighted, extra business.
Buzzell Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 I've not been in for a few months but I'm a bit dissapointed to see it go, the pub certainly had characters and more important characters. I wonder what will take it's place, Tavern must be delighted, extra business. A new American diner.
Unabomber Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 A new American diner. Ohhhhh just what we needed
jonthefox Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Where do i go to now for ageing desperate women?.
deejdeej Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Didn't actually mind it in there and have never had or saw trouble but I've only been in the day. Market tavern on the other hand...
promised land Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Not been in since the days of Spencer's in the early 90's, not a great place then and far too packed downstairs at the weekend.
SemperEadem Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Leicester doesn't need another American food gaff.
Soar Fox Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Where do i go to now for ageing desperate women?. Molly O'Grady's or Fan Club.
Dr The Singh Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Where do i go to now for ageing desperate women?.Webbo's house or really old women down Rincy's.
Claridge Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 Just watching karl pilkington dressed as a women.fitter than any bird in lamplighters.
Bettsj2 Posted 15 February 2016 Posted 15 February 2016 How has this place only just shut dowm? Absolute shithole.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 16 February 2016 Posted 16 February 2016 Anyone been in what used to be square bar since it changed hands? Great for watching sport now, not gonna pull up any trees but a lot less scummy than it was
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