A Day For Darren at The Grapes Inn for Farnworth favourite

Regulars in Farnworth are preparing to honour one of the pub’s most familiar faces after the death of Darren Ainsworth at just 55 years old.

He was a much-loved customer described as part of The Grapes Inn‘s “fixtures and fittings”.

Joanne Hardman, who runs the pub alongside business partner Sam Gavin, said: “Everyone’s absolutely devastated. The pub’s just not the same.

He was much loved by his community. (Image: Joanne Hardman)

“It feels empty without him.”

Darren had been a customer at the pub for at least a decade, remaining a familiar presence through different owners.

Ms Hardman said he visited every evening without fail and was involved in the pub’s cards, darts, and dominoes teams as well as quizzes and social events.

She said: “He was just one of the best customers ever.

“He was on all our teams, cards, darts, and dominoes; he did all our quizzes.

Friends, staff, and customers are now coming together for a fundraising event to help support the cost of his funeral following his death on June 19.

The event, called A Day for Darren, will take place at the pub and feature bingo, cards, pool, dominoes, a tombola, football cards, and a beer hamper, with proceeds going towards his funeral fund.

Darren Ainsworth (Image: Joanne Hardman)

The fundraiser has been organised after Darren’s death, which came just months after the death of his father, leaving his family facing another loss.

An optional £1 entry donation will be collected on the day, while money raised through games, raffles, and other activities will also contribute towards the funeral fund.

Ms Hardman said: “He was just kind. He was honest, very, very honest, and he was just a go-to man for everybody.

He went to the pub every day (Image: Joanne Hardman)

“Everybody loved him because he was just a gentleman.”

The 53-year-old was such a familiar part of life at The Grapes Inn that staff invited him to their Christmas celebration during a refurbishment closure last year.

Customers have already shared tributes online, with more than 100 comments left on a social media post announcing his death and the fundraising event.

Ms Hardman added: “He really was part of our fixtures and fittings.

“We would like to do everything possible to make sure he gets the best send-off.”