Town centre bar closes just weeks after it opened

Mystery surrounds the sudden closure of a town centre bar less than three months after it was launched.
Georgie Macs Bar and Diner on Fazakerley Street is closedGeorgie Macs Bar and Diner on Fazakerley Street is closed
Georgie Macs Bar and Diner on Fazakerley Street is closed

Georgie Mac’s Bar and Diner on Fazakerley Street opened in November.

But passers-by now stop and stare at its two large front windows completeley covered up in old newspapers.

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The venue was formerly the Café Deja Vu, which had stood vacant for more than a year.

Before that it was well-known as Number 15s bar.

Georgie Mac’s owner, businessman George Ikin, who ran the now closed Havana Casa de Café, just round the

corner, launched the Fazakerley Street premises as Havana Brasserie.

But it was transformed into its current venue at the end back of last year.

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Malcolm Allen, chairman of Chorley Traders’ Alliance, said people want to know what has happened to Georgie Macs Bar and Diner.

“People are inquiring what’s happened,” said Mr

Allen.

“Given what happened to the Café, most people seem to think it’s not closed for refurbishment and that it’s closed down.”

Havana Casa de Café closed, seemingly for refurbishments, but never reopened.

“It’s a surprise about Georgie Macs,” said Mr Allen. “It opened in November.”

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He added “It’s very disappointing. Chorley’s in the midst of upgrading and attracting shoppers.

“It’s at a time when they’re refurbishing Fazakerley Street, round about June, which makes it an ideal premises for a cafe or bar.

“They’re taking a couple of trees out and bringing in block paving like they’ve done on Market Street.

“People think it doesn’t look good with all the newspapers in the window, and with him never reopening the cafe, they’re assuming the worst.

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“It’s just a shame a restaurant and bar in the town centre has closed following on from the Theatre Kitchen.”

As Mr Ikin planned to open the Brasserie, he told the Guardian 18 months ago: “It’s in a great town centre site location and I think Chorley needs something like this. I’ve worked in restaurants in the past, I used to have one in Australia.

“This is a natural progression, I’ve been at Havana for two years now and this is the next step. I’m looking to do a few things in Chorley over the coming years.”

Mr Ikin could not be connected to discuss the closure of Georgie Macs Bar and Diner. There was no sign of anyone at the premises and no one answered the telephone which went directly onto voicemail.