Waterloo Pub to open new 'Backstage' bar venue in Cleveleys

The new bar is the first of many new venues planned as part of the Waterloo Music Bar

Cleveleys will soon be seeing a brand new bar opening up at the site of CJ's Cycles after planning permission was put forward for a new venue at the site of the closed bike shop.

Ian Fletcher, who runs the Waterloo Music Bar, has put forward the plans in the hopes to create an addition to the brand, with the opening of this new 'Backstage Bar'.

The site will be the first in a set of multiple venue's planned by Ian to help promote events happening at the Waterloo, the expansion is a bid to help bolster sales of tickets and get word out about the venue and what they do, with many in the town still unaware it is now a live music venue.

The opportunity for the site originally came up after CJ Cycles wanted to move away from that location, Ian jumped at the opportunity, and after speaking to the owner of the building, who loved the idea of what they wanted to bring, they got the green light to planning.

Backstage bar is already a popular venue situated next door to the existing waterloo, it's original purpose was to be open during those times that the main area didn't have any events on.

When speaking about why he decided to start opening the backstage bars Ian said: "It started because we want to help promote the Waterloo, a lot of people in the Fylde coast dont know that there is a live music venue inside the waterloo.

"When we wanted to turn into a proper venue, door times are 7:30, but we had people turning up earlier and standing outside, we realized that we were missing out on something here, so we built a bar inside a bar. The expansions aren't just about the Backstage bar though, it's about promoting everything we do around the music industry."

With the success of the current Backstage bar leading to it getting an extension, this new venue in Cleveleys could be the start of the Waterloo's future vision for the brand, with plans for additional 'Backstage Bars' opening in Blackpool, Lytham, Poulton & St Annes if all goes well.

Plans for inside the venue would see it having memorabilia, pictures on the walls, and a live feed of whats happening at the Waterloo, with the hopes that people will see what is going on, and make them want to go and see it for themselves.

The proposal for the venue would see it sell craft ales, wines and spirits and would be open seven days a week, from 11am until midnight. However there is no set date as of yet for when the new venue will open, we will keep you updated on its progress.