A NEW “gin palace” and micro-brewery is set to open in Churchgate.

Amber Taverns has announced plans to turn former pub The Capitol into Hogarths, a lavish bar styled on gin houses common in the Victorian era.

The bar, due to open in October, will have an in-house micro-brewery and a bespoke gin distilled for the pub, based on a recipe popular in the 18th century.

Operations director for Amber Taverns Gary Roberts said they were excited to open the company’s 100th pub in Bolton, named after the painter William Hogarth.

He said: “Hogarth was a superb artist, satirist, and political commentator — and some elements of his work will run through the establishment.

"We are keen to promote a fantastic community pub spirit in a rather under-invested area of the town centre.

“We believe customers not only deserve fantastic surroundings to imbibe in their favourite tipple — we believe value for money is increasingly important.

“The micro-brewery will deliver exceptional session beers and innovative and challenging variations on popular varieties.”

Mr Roberts said televisions would be fitted with Sky Sports and BT Sports to show Premier League football games.

However, the bar will not serve food and no children will be allowed on the premises.

Work has already started on the building following the closure of The Capitol in June.

Churchgate is hailed as one of Bolton’s most historic areas, and is home to the 763-year-old pub Ye Olde Man and Scythe.

In May shopkeepers in the area blasted Churchgate as a ghost street, after a number of firms closed down or relocated.

Bolton Council said it hoped to turn the street into Bolton’s “restaurant quarter”.

It has offered grants of up to £20,000 for businesses to take on empty units.