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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Aaron Curran

90s nightclub that had minibus to front door to become flats

Work is progressing to turn a once-iconic Merseyside nightclub into apartments.

Rosie's Bar- or Chasers nightclub as it was previously known- was once a staple of the Newton-le-Willows nightlife. In the 1990s, Chasers would attract clubbers from all over St Helens- even running minibuses from the High Street to the front door in its heyday.

However, the Earle Street club was closed in 2003. It eventually re-opened as Xenon and later Rosie's Bar and stayed open until recent years, having opened and closed several times under different names- but doors were shut for good in 2021.

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A planning application was then put forward to turn the former bar into apartments, in recent weeks the work on the premises has stepped up a level- with workers on site almost permanently. The application, submitted by Pod Property Group, states that a total of 17 apartments will be built on the site.

The apartments will be a mix of one, two, and three bedrooms- with five of them being classed as affordable housing. The development has sparked many memories of times spent in Chasers, with some choosing to share stories of long nights at the club.

Sharon Sinclair said: "I worked there when it opened as Astley's. Black skirt, white shirt, and smart red cravat. I did opening night. It was chocker."

Tracy Evans said: "Met Ricky Hatton in there, he was going on a coach trip to see man city with Tony Jackson, I was there on the opening night after my at the time fella had finished the inside with his dad's business."

Wayne McDonnell said: "Beautiful building back in the day, 1988 to 2008.. 20 years of great memories."

Jennifer Mitchell said: "I met my husband at Rosie’s bar in 2009."

Pod Property Group were contacted for an update on the plans.

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