A HISTORIC Bolton pub is set to re-open after a £150,000 refurbishment.

The Finishers Arms in Church Road, Smithills, will welcome back customers on Friday November 20 following a month-long closure while contractors carried out the work.

Its relaunch will follow an 18-month battle by landlord Dennis Holmes and his wife Christine to get the 200-year-old pub upgraded.

An initial plan to open up the Grade II pub’s three rooms was rejected by Bolton Council planners 12 months ago, forcing rethink by the design team behind the project, before an alternative scheme was finally approved.

Although the three rooms have been kept, the bar has been moved to create extra space and extensive work has been carried out to create more space and light in the pub.

Including the Holmes couple, eight people work at the pub.

“We are delighted with the progress of the work,” said Mr Holmes, who has been landlord for 13 years. “We believe our regulars and other visitors to the pub will get a much better experience now, while we have retained the traditional integrity of The Finishers.

“We believe the refurbishment will safeguard the future of the pub.”

Meanwhile, Mr and Mrs Holmes are planning to extend the food offer at the pub to Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3pm, and Fridays and Sundays from noon to 7pm.

The refurbishment comes as a boost to the pub trade in Bolton, which has been hit in recent years by a number of closures.

Owners of the The Railway pub in Bromley Cross say they are being forced to close the music pub in January, partly due to the effect of work to improve the railway line in Bolton, with The Rocket pub in Breightmet also set to be demolished.

However in more positive news, The Brass Cat in Churchgate has re-opened under new management after being closed for several months.