Community

Blackpool’s former Conservative club reopens as a Reform UK pub reflecting rising party influence

Wednesday, 14 May 2025 12:12AM UTC

The Talbot on Milbourne Street has transformed from a Conservative club into a Reform UK venue, signalling the party's growing grassroots support and recent electoral successes in England.

In the heart of Blackpool, a former Conservative club has undergone a significant transformation, rebranding itself as a Reform UK pub. The Talbot, located on Milbourne Street, has been painted in the party's signature bright blue, prominently displaying its logo. This bold move, shared online by Mark Butcher, a candidate who represented the party in the 2024 Blackpool South by-election, reflects a growing political identity for the venue amid shifting local sentiments.

Co-owner Pete Flynn expressed his enthusiasm for the new identity, stating, "We wanted to be the first Reform club... We love Nigel Farage - so it's fantastic." His comments illuminate the deep ties between the establishment and the party, as both he and his business partner are known members of Reform UK. This desire to create a political hub aligns with recent trends, as the party has made considerable gains in local elections across England, invigorating grassroots support and inviting more public engagement.

Reform UK’s electoral success has been striking. In the 2025 local elections, the party celebrated notable victories, securing seats in areas such as Medway and Tendring. Chairman Zia Yusuf has projected that the party could potentially win between 350 to 400 seats in future general elections, a sentiment echoed by recent polling data indicating an upswing in and enthusiasm for the party amongst voters. Such optimism is significant in light of Farage’s long and challenging political journey, having finally achieved a parliamentary seat in Clacton-on-Sea after multiple attempts. His triumph there not only underscores a shift in voter allegiance, stripping away Conservative dominance, but also signals an increasing influence of Reform UK on the political landscape.

The party's recent electoral achievements are further evidenced by a reported increase in vote share of over 9% in council by-elections since the last general election. This surge is attributed to a wider expansion of candidates representing Reform UK and intensified campaigning, indicating a strategic recalibration aimed at translating growing grassroots support into concrete electoral outcomes. The challenge remains, however, to effectively convert this momentum into further successes as the party gears up for critical local elections in May.

As The Talbot adapts to its new role as a Reform UK pub, it epitomises a broader narrative of political mobilisation in Britain. Establishments like this aim not just to serve drinks, but to foster a space where political discussions thrive, echoing a desire for more direct engagement with the changing tides of public opinion. The transformation of The Talbot encapsulates a unique blend of local identity and national political ambition, marking a noteworthy chapter in Blackpool's evolving landscape.

Reference Map

Paragraph 1: (1)
Paragraph 2: (1),(3)
Paragraph 3: (4)
Paragraph 4: (5),(6)
Paragraph 5: (1),(3)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/reform-uk-pub-blackpool-talbot-b2750371.html - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/reform-uk-pub-blackpool-talbot-b2750371.html - A former Conservative club in Blackpool has been rebranded as a Reform UK pub. Footage shows The Talbot on Milbourne Street painted bright blue with the party's logo. Co-owner Pete Flynn, a party member, expressed enthusiasm for the rebranding, stating, "We wanted to be the first Reform club... We love Nigel Farage - so it's fantastic." This move follows Reform UK's significant gains in the 2025 local elections across England.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/reform-uk-seats-nigel-farage-elon-musk-b1209689.html - Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, secured multiple victories in England's local elections, gaining two seats on Medway council and one on Tendring council. The party's chairman, Zia Yusuf, projected potential success in future general elections, suggesting they could win "350 to 400 Members of Parliament." This optimism is bolstered by recent polling data indicating Reform UK's rising support among voters.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/07/05/nigel-farage-becomes-mp-clacton-8th-attempt-reform-seats/ - Nigel Farage achieved his long-sought parliamentary seat in Clacton-on-Sea, marking his eighth attempt. His victory, with 46.2% of the vote, signifies a substantial shift in the constituency, previously held by the Conservatives with a 24,702 majority. Farage's success is seen as a significant milestone for Reform UK, indicating the party's growing influence in British politics.
https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-20/reform-vote-share-up-9-in-council-by-elections-ahead-of-key-local-polls-in-may - Reform UK's vote share increased by over 9% in council by-elections since the previous general election, outpacing all other parties. This surge is attributed to the party's expanded candidate presence and intensified campaigning. The momentum is expected to influence the upcoming local elections in May, with Reform UK aiming to capitalize on its growing support base.
https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/reform-uk-has-picked-up-7-seats-from-184-by-elections-since-july-388891/ - Since July, Reform UK has gained seven seats from 184 council by-elections, reflecting modest progress for the party. Despite this, the party remains optimistic, focusing on upcoming local elections in May to further expand its influence. The results highlight the challenges Reform UK faces in translating its growing support into electoral victories.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/reform-uk-seats-nigel-farage-elon-musk-b1209689.html - Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, secured multiple victories in England's local elections, gaining two seats on Medway council and one on Tendring council. The party's chairman, Zia Yusuf, projected potential success in future general elections, suggesting they could win "350 to 400 Members of Parliament." This optimism is bolstered by recent polling data indicating Reform UK's rising support among voters.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The information includes recent local elections and developments in 2025, indicating a current narrative. However, the lack of specific dates for some events might suggest slight outdatedness.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The quote from Pete Flynn is specific and reflects current sentiments, but no earlier known reference is available. Without prior sources, it is presumed original.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from 'The Independent', a reputable and well-established news source in the UK.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The transformation aligns with recent political trends and the rise of Reform UK. The narrative is plausible given the party’s growing influence and grassroots support.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be fresh, with the transformation of The Talbot aligning well with recent political developments in the UK. The source is reliable, and the plausibility of the claims is high. Although some specific dates are not provided, the overall context suggests a current and accurate report.

Reform UK
Local politics
Blackpool
Nigel Farage
Political trends