A Bury town centre bar is celebrating its 18th birthday this month with a birthday bash and celebration of how far it has come.
The Blind Tiger on Bolton Street will be throwing a party on Saturday, February 25, after first opening in 2005.
The popular live music venue is known for helping artists in the borough and played a major role in setting up the town's annual festival, Glaston-Bury.
Owner, James Morris, 41, said the car couldn’t have been a success without the "right people", who are all as passionate about their work as he is.
He said: “I became the owner of the Blind Tiger 18 years ago at 23 years old in 2005.
“I was working as a shift manager at the Robert Peel so I already knew the town and a lot of people in it.
"When the basement of Bella Italia had been made available, everything just fell into place.”
James thanked friends, customers and "the amazing people I have around me especially Greg, Darius, Dawn and Jill", adding that he hopes to see another 18 years in Bury.
Darius Jones, manager at the bar, said that despite things like the cost of living crisis and Covid, the bar has always managed to keep customers coming in.
He said: “A lot has changed in the six years I have been here but the customers are the best.
“Be it new faces or regulars it is always fun and I think having a smaller space helps that, it’s more intimate and even when we are quiet, it’s not noticeable.”
Despite several venues in Bury having closed their doors recently, Darius said he is confident the Blind Tiger will continue to thrive as they are constantly changing to meet customers’ needs.
He said: “I have noticed that a lot of the younger generation who are turning 18/19 now don’t tend to go out until around 11pm so we stay open even later to cater to them.
Read more: Staff raise glasses to 10 years of The Blind Tiger
“Just after lockdown there was a period where we were in pretty rough shape, but I think over the past few months it's definitely improved and January has been busier than ever."
Having started as a glass collector, Darius became a bartender, supervisor and then manager adding that "working here is the first job I have ever actually enjoyed doing, it is just incredible".
The Blind Tiger was created with good music in mind and as a venue supportive of live local artists.
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In 2012, James also opened a Blind Tiger venue in Bolton but closed its doors in 2018.
He also the Artisan in Rawtenstall in 2017.
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The party will take place from 5pm until 4.30am with live music from Ben Krinks, Josh Owens, and Danny Quinn.
If you have a story tweet @BuryTimes or @Heywoodharriet_ or email Harriet.Heywood@newsquest.co.uk.
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