A POPULAR town centre bar will be refurbished at a cost of hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Yates's, in Bradshawgate, confirmed it will close at the end of this month for several weeks while it carries out the work.

A Yates's spokesman said: “We cannot confirm exact dates or details as yet but we are excited to confirm our plans to invest a six-figure sum in our venue in Bolton.

“Work starts at the end of July and we hope to showcase our new Yates's format to the people of Bolton in August.

“Keep an eye out on our social channels for further details on our re-opening celebrations.”

Cllr Martin Donaghy said: “Yes I am delighted to hear that a refurbishment programme for Yates’s is taking place.

“It is a very popular venue on Bradshawgate and I am sure the refurbishment will be done very sensitively with regards to the building’s design.

“I am sure it will increase the footfall in the town centre when the renovation is complete.

“Hopefully it will draw some more people into the town centre and they can come into Bolton and enjoy a nice night out in pleasant surroundings, which is what the majority of people come into Bolton do.

“Unfortunately this is sometimes spoiled by a small minority, but you get that anywhere.”

Pub-goer Simon Pearce, from Bromley Cross, said he did not visit Yates's often so did not want to speak on behalf of regular customers, but recently watched all of the British and Irish Lions rugby matches on TV at the bar when it opened specially for him.

Mr Pearce said: “I love rugby and really wanted to watch the test matches, but I couldn’t find anywhere that would open to show them.

“Another bar in the town centre recommended I try Yates's so I went to see them.”

The matches were shown early on Saturday mornings, due to them being broadcast live from New Zealand.

Yates's opened specially at 8.30am so Mr Pearce could watch the games, along with a group of other fans who increased in number over the three weeks.

Mr Pearce said: “They were very decent and so I’m really pleased for the staff that there is going to be refurbishment at the venue. They deserve to work in a nice environment and it lifts morale, so I welcome the news.”