Here are nine Robbie Williams song-inspired things the popstar, who had an estimated worth of £145m in the Sunday Time’s 2016 Rich List, can do if he comes forward to save the Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, pub.
Back the campaign by using #RobbieForRedLion on social media.
1. Let Me Entertain You live music venue
Many fans say it would be a Sin Sin Sin if Williams let the pub with its £150,000 price tag get turned into flats and believe it could be a sensational live music venue akin to Liverpool’s Cavern club.
The popstar himself could perform on the opening night and throughout the year, while it would also be an ideal spot for up-and-coming acts to gain some exposure.
2. Soda Pop bar
If Williams does not want to open a licensed premise, then he could capitalise on the growing number of non-drinkers in the UK with a temperance bar.
Temperance bars were popular in 19th-Century northern England, serving cordials and herbal remedies, so opening a fizzy pop venue would be quite the Reverse compared with other venues in the area.
3. Puttin on the Ritz hotel
Staffordshire could have its very own glitzy pub inn, where Williams’s celebrity friends could come and stay, giving locals the chance to Meet the Stars.
These days more operators are choosing to add accommodation to their offer, giving them an additional income.
4. Candy shop
Why reopen the Red Lion as a hospitality destination when Williams could turn it into a sweet shop instead?
We Wouldn’t Normally Do This Kind of Thing, but adults and Kids alike are spending more on sweets than ever, so a candy shop could be a sure success – especially if it sold Hot fudge.
5. John’s Gay bar
Williams could open the perfect venue to meet Your Gay Friend for a drink and a dance in Stoke-on-Trent.
The ‘pink pound’ offers operators the chance to work in a segment of the market that is niche and likely to attract a regular clientele.
6. Karaoke Star venue
So long as Williams does not hog the mic and turn every evening into Karaoke Overkill, a karaoke venue could be a plausible business route for the former Take That band member.
Big names such as Slam Star, Lucky Voice and Bunga Bunga in London have made karaoke bars a successful business option.
7. Last Days of Disco
This could be the chance for Williams to show he is a Rock DJ at Stoke-on-Trent’s very own disco club.
Venues such as Flares have made retro clubbing trendy. Williams could put the Red Lion pub on the map as the place for 1970s disco music. Failing that, he could try music from The 80s or The 90s.
8. National Treasure
Here is another non-hospitality idea, but fans would consider it a Random Act of Kindness from Williams if he bought the Red Lion pub and turned it into a shrine to himself.
The pub already forms part of the Robbie Williams fan tour, so opening a museum on the site could be the perfect place for tourists to buy Robbie memorabilia.
9. A pub
More obviously, Williams could reopen the Red Lion as a pub and possibly change the name to the title of one of his singles, like the 16 Tons.
Pub closures may be down, but the trade needs all the help it can get. Another pub closing and being turned into flats would be tragic. Sadly this could be the fate that awaits the Red Lion if a buyer isn't found.
According to the Campaign for Real Ale, pub closures had fallen to 21 a week in the first half of 2016, compared with 27 a week in the last half of 2015.
Main image courtesy of MariaAndronic
