A historic pub badly damaged in a suspected arson attack was the “greatest pub on Earth”, a regular who has set up an appeal to save it has said.
The fire broke out at the John Bull Chophouse on Coopers Row in Wigan town centre in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
A 44-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of arson, burglary and possession of Class A drugs, Greater Manchester Police said.
Musician Joe Astley, who set up a fundraiser to “get the pub back on its feet”, said the fire which had left regulars “devastated”, adding: “It was more than a pub – it was a community.”
Astley has been going in the John Bull for more than a decade and played gigs there as well as hosting open mic events.
He said it was the busiest pub in the town and the landlords and staff were “like family”.
“I love it. The music, the atmosphere. It’s a community,” the 30-year-old said.
“There was no greater feeling than going in there on a Saturday night and everyone singing along to the legendary jukebox.”