BLACKBURN Rovers have announced the Blues Bar will close on non-matchdays.

Bosses at Ewood Park said the bar near to the club shop at Ewood Park will shut every day but will still ‘open on matchdays and for functions or events’.

The move comes after club officials said there has been lower footfall during the week for the bar.

Mark Fish of the Blackburn Rovers Action Group said: “Years ago they were talking about making it a bit more of a hub by opening in the evenings but now we hear this – opening for functions and on matchdays.

“It is really sad as I know people who have been going in there two times a week.

“I don’t really think it has been marketed. They have got a lot of publicity channels to use and I don’t think it has been out there enough.

“It is not long since it has been refurbished and it is a good place to go.

“I thought there was a bit of potential as there are not that many pubs and clubs in the area. I worry about the people who were working there.”

John Murray, from the Rovers Supporters Trust, believes the news is just a sign of the times.

He said: “The pubs are having very difficult times during the week and rely on the weekend trade. The Trust feel that Ewood should be used more and other things apart from football.”

A Blackburn Rovers spokesman said: “Of course, the club – and our catering partner Sodexo – have been reluctant to take this step, but the daily custom needed to support Blues opening every day simply hasn’t been there.

“We will be honouring all existing commitments, either by continuity to host the events in Blues itself, such as the weekly Sliding Doors and monthly Rover 60 Lunch Club, or by relocating them elsewhere in the stadium, such as the Memories and Comrades group and Shout business networking events.

“We would still love to see as many fans as possible every pre and post-matchday and don’t forget Blues is the perfect party destination or any other event you would like to host. The club and Sodexo will be launching marketing initiatives to get events into Blues on a regular basis, so watch this space for news of our new calendar of events going forward, including music nights, Euro 2020 matches and Christmas party nights.”