The emotional moment 'devastated' regulars raised a…

The emotional moment 'devastated' regulars raised a glass to Queen Elizabeth II inside the Bolton pub named for her

Regulars at a pub in named after the late Queen Elizabeth II have all raised a glass to the building's namesake after the news of her death. Drinkers gathered in The Queen Elizabeth in Fletcher Street, Bolton, were left shellshocked when the news came yesterday (Thursday).

It is the only pub in the north west named after her, the licensee claims, and the late monarch held a special place in their hearts. Her passing, after 70 years on the throne, left landlord Derek Gallagher and many patrons ‘devastated’.

“We all raised a glass earlier when the news came in,” he said. “We knew something was going on then the news came in the afternoon.

"I think we’ll be raising a glass for a few days now and we will see what the plan is and what the national feeling is for celebrating her life.

“I was devastated, I am a royalist and think they bring a lot of money to the country and are good for us. I think King Charles will carry on the good work she did.

“He has big shoes to fill.”

Derek Gallagher outside his pub, The Queen Elizabeth, in Bolton (Manchester Evening News)

Doctors became concerned for Queen Elizabeth’s health on Thursday (September 8) and she was put under medical supervision at Balmoral Castle. But later that day officials announced she had died aged 96.

This comes following energetic celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee back in June. The regulars at the Bolton pub said their celebrations were ‘brilliant’ and it was a ‘special’ occasion for a woman that means so much to them.

“It is very sad that she's died,” pub goer Tom Gemmell said. “She has been a great queen for us and the commonwealth and held us together through tough times.”

John Sewell, sat at the bar, added: “Very sad today. She has done a good job for us all around the world. She was a brilliant person and had a great personality. It was a shame for her losing her husband as he was a nice bloke as well.

“They [the royals] are brilliant for the country, and around the world. Wherever she went she was brilliant.”

Regulars at The Queen Elizabeth in Bolton raise a glass in honour of the Queen (Manchester Evening News)

Speaking about the moment the news broke at The Queen Elizabeth, Sharon Greenhalgh said: “I was shocked, I didn’t think from Tuesday when she met the new Prime Minister and then needing bed rest, she would go. I’ve been glued to the screen.

“I did think she needed a few days of bed rest but she’d come out okay. It was mortifying. At least all the family has been with her throughout. She will be missed.

“There is only one Queen Elizabeth. There will never be another one.”

Barmaid Gabriel Mowberay explained that the Queen was a heroine of hers.

“I only just saw it on tv and I didn’t believe it,” the 22-year-old said. “I thought she was going to outlive anyone.

“In the war she was fixing up cars which I think is amazing. She was great at driving a jeep as well.

“She was a hell of an adventurer. I wouldn’t be able to do what she did.

“I don’t think anyone could do what she does.”

She went on to say how everyone in the pub got behind her during the jubilee, donning the red white and blue and singing her name.

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