A POPULAR town centre pub damaged when a Land Rover ploughed into the side of it last year is to be demolished, its devastated landlord has revealed.

Neil Piper has fought to keep the Dog and Partridge pub in Manor Street open ever since it was forced to close after the crash in October.

But he says this battle has been lost, with the building's owners Bluemantle not deeming the cost of repairing the pub to be "economically viable".

The building had been earmarked to come down anyway, to make way for the council's Church Wharf development.

But Mr Piper, aged 34, said he has still been left "heartbroken" at the thought of never standing behind the bar again.

Mr Piper, who had stepped out of the pub just moments before the collision to smoke a cigarette - which possibly saved his life - has been sleeping on the sofas of friends and family ever since, while waiting for a decision to be made.

He said: "I have known for about a week or two and couldn't keep in in any longer.

"I've been landlord for a month to the day under 12 years.

"The landlords of the building have taken the decision to take down the building due to it not being economically viable.

"They see it as a Pandora's box that when they start work on the building they will find more and more problems that have to be fixed.

"Refurbishment alone would cost tens of thousands on its own. The place is a wreck, every door kicked in, nearly every window and frame broken. "The infrastructure has been ripped out. It takes a piece of me every time I walk through the door."

The pub has gained a reputation for music over recent years, with bands from across the globe performing there.

Among the most memorable nights was when US band The Ghetto Kids performed, along with the annual festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend, Dogstock.

The Dog and Partridge is set to make way as part of Church Wharf scheme, which was costed at £226 million when it was unveiled in September, 2008.

The project contained plans for a hotel, cinema, homes, restaurants and a shopping complex.

Mr Piper added: "Running a pub isn't just a job. It’s a way of life and becomes who you are. Other landlords will know this feeling well.

"I have no idea what I should do with myself now. I guess I'll have to sort out a job and somewhere to live.

"My heart is broken of the thought of not standing behind the bar again. At the moment I find it hard just to put one foot in front of the other.

"People even now are rallying around me from the pub, those who helped clear the pub, the ones who are still looking after my stuff.

"I cannot thank these good people enough. I hope one day I can repay this huge kindness that people have shown to me."

The building's owners Bluemantle and Bolton Council have been contacted for a comment.

The crash on October 29 was caused by Craig Durham.

He was charged with criminal damage, dangerous driving and being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

The 41-year-old was found hanged in January this year, days before he was due to enter a plea.

His parents said he was "terrified of going to prison" and had "never meant to hurt anybody" over the Dog and Partridge crash.