THE new owners of the once-thriving Ainsworth Arms at the top of Halliwell Road have pledged to return the pub to its former glory.

Bolton firm Welcome Taverns, which already has the Brewhouse in Blackburn Road and the Thomas Egerton in Egerton, is aiming to create a locally-based group of modernised local pubs serving cask beers.

The Ainsworth is set to undergo a £120,000 refurbishment and the company is searching for a licensee dedicated to serving cask conditioned beers.

Plans for the pub include a new roof, structural repairs and a complete revamp of the interior while original features such as the snug will be maintained.

Work will start within the next few weeks and Welcome Taverns has targeted an opening date in the New Year.

Area manager Rob McLintock said: “This is the start of a new Bolton-based estate where we aim to put the local back into the pub industry.

“We are looking to carry out a complete refurbishment of the premises to give a modern twist to the traditional local pub at the heart of the community.

“The refurbishment will start next month and when it opens in the New Year we will have the same configuration with solid wooden floors, new decor throughout and the snug area will be kept but with new leather seating.

“While we plan to have eight cask ales on tap — four from our own Dunscar Bridge Brewery and four guest ales from local micro-breweries — the pub will also cater for non-beer drinkers with a wide range of wines, spirits lagers and ciders.”

The aim is for the pub to become the focus of sporting activity in the area and to host a variety of pub games.

Welcome Taverns recently renovated the Thomas Egerton and plans a facelift for its sister pub, the Brewhouse, before Christmas.

The Ainsworth Arms pub name is said to commemorate the Ainsworth family who lived in the Bolton area for many generations.

Peter Ainsworth, born in 1711, founded the Halliwell Bleachworks in Bolton around 1739 while his eldest son, also named Peter, bought Smithills Hall in 1801.