Motorhead bar opens in Lemmy's hometown

A Motorhead themed bar and shop opened its doors for the first time today in the town where front man Ian Fraser 'Lemmy' Kilmister was born.

The store, set up by the IFK Legacy group in Market Place, Burslem, aims to be a centre for those who make the journey to see the nearby Lemmy statue and raise funds to turn the Queens Theatre into the Kilmister Halls.

In the year since the statue was unveiled, fans have travelled from all over the world to the Staffordshire town to see it.

Sculptor of the statue Andy Edwards said he was "delighted" by the bar opening and said: "most of all I feel at home in this environment of people and I hope that everyone feels the same."

Among those attending the opening was Motorhead fan Phil Street who has been listening to them since the age of 11.

When asked what he made of the bar, the 63-year-old said: "It's his [Lemmy's] hometown, it's just a proud moment."

"I walk past it [the statue] every weekend and it's just iconic for us here."

"I don't think a day goes by where there isn't someone at the statue, this [the bar] just makes it more of a pull now," he said.

Stephen 'Krusher' Joule was a friend to the band and felt "honoured" to be the one cutting the ribbon to open the store.

He regularly sees photos of people who have completed the pilgrimage to the statue in the town.

He said: "I know that Lemmy would love that, and I know that Burslem must love that because it's bringing in tourists."

Being in the shop surrounded by various photos of the band brought back memories of when he first worked with them in 1979, creating their tour program.

"When I sat with them in their office I was terrified of them, but they were sweethearts," he explained.

"When I first walked in here, I was absolutely astounded, everything reeks of Motorhead and it is rock and roll," he added.

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