City bar closure was inevitable, says manager

Vines Bar, located in Sadler Gate, announced its closure on Saturday

The manager of a city centre bar that has been open since the 1980s said its decision to close "was inevitable".

Staff at Vines Bar in Sadler Gate, Derby, will call last orders on 2 November.

A statement paid tribute to "their customers, everyone who supported them and the staff who are set to lose their jobs".

Bar manager at Vines, Rosie Vickers, 33, said: "Even though we all knew it was inevitable, we still had our heads in the sand with it all."

Vines Bar became popular throughout the 80s and 90s

Ms Vickers said "nothing has worked" since the end of the pandemic, and it had struggled to increase sales ever since.

"As sad as we are, we do stand with the owner, John, with the decision he has made," she added.

Ms Vickers said reducing customer numbers had been an issue "across the board" in the city centre.

"You only have to stand down Sadler Gate on a Friday or Saturday night and see it for yourself," said Ms Vickers.

"People have learnt you can drink cheaper if you stay at home or stay local. Nights out have dropped on people's priority list.

"We get the odd person who comes in and shares stories from the 80s and 90s with the staff, but that one visit every year is not viable for us to carry on."

After announcing the closure, a spokesperson for Vines said: "We are very sorry to close the doors of Vines.

"This has not been an easy decision and has pained us all.

"Should Vines be continued under new ownership, we wish them all of the best as Vines is an institution in Derby and deserves to continue for many years to come."