Nice Tu see you - pub sign is re-born
From the Lancashire Telegraph, first published Friday 3rd Aug 2007.
THE oldest beer advert in the UK is back in use after 13 years - and is saving a lager company thousands of pounds.
The Tuborg Lager sign which has been on the side of the deserted Boulevard pub, Railway Road, Blackburn, for decades is around one metre high and five metres wide.
But it has been defunct since 1994 when the lager was taken off the shelves and out of the pubs in the UK.
It has become a familiar sight to passers-by, despite leaving many baffled because the premium-strength lager has only been on sale in mainland Europe and Russia.
However, Carlsberg, owners of Tuborg lager, have started rolling out a £5million marketing campaign to support the relaunch of the brand in the UK, and they are getting a prime slot in Blackburn for free.
Advertising expert Katie Bradshaw estimated that the sign's location, if it were being paid for, would cost £350 per fortnight.
David Caffrey, director of Tuborg lager in the UK said: "For us it's fantastic news and will complement the marketing we are doing for the relaunch.
"We hope that the people of Blackburn have seen the sign, continue to see the sign, and try out the lager now it's back.
"We didn't know about this until now, but it is very positive news."
Despite the location and marketing campaign, passers-by don't seem to know much about the brand or the advert.
Keith Oxley, 60, from Clitheroe, said: "I've heard of the brand, they used to have it around when I was a lad, but I didn't know it was making a comeback. I've not noticed the sign to be honest, but Carlsberg shouldn't have to pay for it again when its already been paid for once."
Lauren Hughes, 20, from Whalley said: "I don't think a company as big as that should be getting free advertising.
"To me it doesn't even look that old, I thought it was new."
Raymond Goldstone, former president of the Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: "Somebody must have paid for the sign initially. It's a good transit point for advertisers, with plenty of people walking past."
The Boulevard, formerly the Star and Garter, was a Thwaites pub, but was sold some time ago to a private businessman. It is thought the sign was put up when Thwaites pubs still sold Tuborg to drinkers.
The pub was put up for sale in May 2003, six months after it closed its doors.
Bosses at Blackburn with Darwen Council for Voluntary Service have have had plans to convert the pub into their new base approved
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