JOURNEYMAN pub and restaurant fixer Peter Haynes has returned to his spiritual home – the Waggon and Horses in Westhoughton.

The 61-year-old manager of the revamped pub in Chorley Road spent 10 years running it until 1999 before leaving to help other pubs with his Midas touch.

He spent several years at the Thatch and Thistle, further along the A6 at Blackrod, and became general manager of the now-thriving Heaton outlet Fanny’s, also known as the Victoria Inn at Markland Hill.

The Waggon and Horses was previously a popular carvery but eventually closed in November last year. Owners Marstons invested in the refurbishment and Mr Haynes was installed alongside tenant Peter Cavanagh, aged 57, head chef Aaron Dean and bar manager Samantha Walmsley to bring the pub back to life.

“Now, we only deal in fresh food, sensibly priced served in a pleasant environment, cooked to order in a nice, relaxed atmosphere,” said Mr Haynes, who was born and brought up in Bolton and attended St Anne’s RC Secondary Modern School in Harwood.

“I have gone into many pubs to turn them round and been successful,” said Mr Haynes.

“But this pub is our baby. The Waggon and Horses has always tugged on our heart strings and I am looking forward to staying here for as long as possible.”

Because of its location, Mr Haynes described the Waggon and Horses as a destination pub.

Since it reopened in June it has gone from strength to strength, he said.

“The signs are that people in the area are buying into what we are doing here and that is very encouraging,” he added.

“We have kept faith with its previous status as a traditional pub, always making sure we have three cask beers on.”