A fundraiser in support of a popular pub has raised almost £11,000 in 14 days and secured its future.

The Friends of the Railway Hotel in Clifftown Road launched a GoFundme appeal after owners Fi and Dave Dulake faced an uphill battle to keep the ageing pub in good condition.

However, they hadn’t reckoned on the support they received from their regulars who started a £10,000 appeal and raised £10,935 in two weeks.

Dave Dulake said: “It’s been absolutely amazing. I don’t know what to say other than a massive thank you to all the people who put their hands in their pockets. We are very grateful.

“We had some heavy duty bills to pay out, including VAT so we weren’t in a very stable position for the last couple of years. The building needs a lot doing to it but there was no way we could do it while we were in debt.”

Mr Dulake added: “I wasn’t expecting the public to help us but I’d made it known the position we were in and people stepped in to help as a good will gesture. I can’t believe what they have done for us.”

While the pub is safe for now, the couple have had to make some tough decisions, including closing during the day, closing down the kitchen which specialised in vegan food and concentrating on what the pub is best known for – supporting local musicians.

Mr Dulake said: “We’re having to budget in a very different way now. This has helped us in the short term but trade is still not great. We’ve had to cut back on staff and shut the kitchen but we still have pizza. It was decision between food and music.

“We’re very grateful for what people have done for us but I’d just like to say we are not the only business that needs support in terms of people making the most of venues in town.”

Posting on the pub’s Facebook page, Daryl Easlea, one of those behind the appeal said: “Just wow, we are so unbelievably thrilled at everyone’s generosity and we know Dave and Fi are completely blown away. To be reaching target in just over a week is breathtaking, as is to see so many friends old and new chipping in.

Many have mentioned how they could give on a regular basis to help and also importantly give of their time for some DIY etc. To that end, we are looking into establishing a Friends Of The Railway FB page.”