A PUB which has been empty since last year has been bought by new owners who have invested £500,000 into the premises.

The Market Hotel, on Brackley Street, Farnworth, is set to open next week - with a refreshed team and food menu, and an exciting array of cask ales, cocktails and coffees.

The pub is set to feature the largest beer garden in Farnworth, craft ales, a food menu, which is going to be hearty, pub grub type food, afternoon teas, a place for families to visit with dogs, and live sports as well as a dartboard.

The venue, which lies in the heart of the planned town centre regeneration works, has a capacity of around 140 people.

David Lewtas, area manager of Dorbiere, the company which bought the premises, said: “It’s going to be the biggest and the best pub in Farnworth.

“We really want to bring that city experience to a market town. We’re not going to be competing to try and have the lowest prices in the area - we want to provide our customers with a great experience.

“With everything going on with the town centre regeneration, we really want to put our money where our mouths are. We believe this has venue has potential.”

There are televisions inside which will showcase BT and Sky Sport, and a collage of photos which showcase Farnworth’s history.

There’s also an outdoor area around the back of the premises with stunning murals in the 'secret garden'. And venue bosses have aspirations of setting up a darts and dominoes team once it is open.

Father and daughter duo Iain and Naimi Davies will be leading the team, with Naimi working front of house.

Chef Kieran McCormack will be in charge of the catering team with a menu which will include everything from pub meals to light snacks and sharers.

Naimi said: “It’s something that Farnworth really needs. It’s definitely what we’ve been missing.

“A lot of the pubs around here are very male-dominated. We will have something for everyone - men, women, children, families, and even dogs.”

The building has stood in the heart of Farnworth since 1901, when it was owned by the Tong family - who owners Dorbiere are currently trying to trace.

The venue will officially open next Thursday, July 29.

A Dorbiere spokesman added: “We hope this investment is really going to go some way in levelling up the North with much needed investment into the economy - as well as a hospitality recovery after the pandemic.”