Lancaster’s New Melbourne Pub on Slyne Road, formerly one of Lancaster’s last working men’s clubs, and Skerton’s last remaining pubs, is up for sale at auction later this month – and may close for good.

The pub, which has a guide sale price of £250,000, reduced its opening times earlier this year to Friday and weekends only. Plans have been drawn up to convert the property into five self-contained flats, however consent has not yet been applied for.

“We will miss this place,” say its owners, Andrew and Julie Seaton, “but we will always keep the friends we have made here, no matter were time takes us….We will continue to have the friendships we hold dear.

But it’s time we put family and each other first. We have worked hard all our lives – 10 of those we have had my beloved Melbourne.

“But as I say, family comes first – without that you’re nothing.”

Sadly, all of Skerton’s pubs, apart from Skerton Liberal Club and the New Melbourne, have closed over the years, converted or levelled to create housing, such as the Howe Ghyll on Green Lane, the John O’Gaunt on Torrisholme Road; or changed into business premises, such as the Skerton Hotel on Owen Road, now The Fireplace Warehouse.

• The New Melbourne , 57 Slyne Road, Lancaster, Lancashire LA1 2JH | For Sale By Auction | 12:00, 23 February 2023 | Auction details at Auction House North West

The New Melbourne Pub on Facebook

A Guide to Lancaster’s Closed Pubs

Old Lancaster Pubs Facebook Group