Future of well-known Northampton town centre rock bar in doubt as landlady issues 'USE IT OR LOSE IT' warning

The King Billy Rock Bar, located in Commercial Street, announced on Facebook that, starting this week, will only be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in a bid to keep costs down.

The landlady, Rachel Nash, explained some of the challenges she has faced since taking over in January 2023.

On Facebook, Rachel said: “I have spent the last two years trying to build The Billy into your 'local' and trying different things, such as getting the pavement licence, retro games night, killer pool, karaoke, rockeoke and bands on a Bank Holiday Sunday. Times are hard and people are struggling, I get it, so from now on we will just be a pub where you come to see a band on a weekend. I need to try and keep my costs down too.

"This is your last chance to keep The Billy going, so to all you 10k 'followers' I will say it again: Use it or lose it, as once it's gone that could well be that. Community is not built on Deliveroo and cheap beer from Morrisons!”

The announcement sparked a wave of reactions from followers.

Viv Doolan said: “I think it’s the same everywhere and a multitude of factors are involved. Music became purchasable online, booze could be bought in Tesco, that was the first phase I noticed where people would go out less. Then we had Covid and we got 'used' to being at home a lot more. I've definitely noticed that less people go out no matter where you are. Then the third phase, that after all that quantitative easing every single bill has gone up. Food is 30% more so the 30-40 quid people might have had for a night out is just gone on food and that's before fuel, electricity bill etc. I'm not sure what the answer is but I can definitely see why people go out less and less these days.”

Chop Wales said: “Thank you Rachel and staff for trying so hard to make this great pub work. I was gutted to see just two of us on bikes there for your bike night, and that despite you putting on two bands, just four of us in the audience.”

Bob Earl added: “The last landlord, just before and after COVID used the phrase ‘use it or lose it’ too.”

The Moulton Club sympathised, saying: “Unfortunately it’s the same for a lot of us; the government are not helping the hospitality sector. They lessen the ABV on the beer whilst putting prices up at every possible opportunity. When you have put your heart and soul into a business and it’s not very well supported, it’s heartbreaking.”