A historic pub is set to reopen its doors.

The Victoria in Market Street, Westhoughton, has been shut for almost a year.

Now John McGinlay is to “bring the pub back to life”.

He also became the manager at Absolute Bar & Bistro in November last year and had big dreams of taking the bar and restaurant to the next level, with its European style tapas menus.

He said: “It’s quite a community pub and is very well-known in Westhoughton.

“We are next door which is convenient, and I felt as though it was in the community’s interest to make sure that it is brought back to what we know it can be.

“I am very excited to get it back up and running and bring it back to life.”

The pub is currently undergoing a huge refurbishment and is benefiting from a £260k investment.

Some of the work being done includes a complete rewire, a new bar, fixed seating, and a new carpet, as well as also being painted and decorated.

The pub was established in 1982 when it was a Greenall Whitley pub.

John said: “We are completely gutting the pub put and starting again.

“We want it to be part of Westhoughton for anyone visiting or anyone in the area and we will give it the best chance we have.

“We hope we can make The Victoria and the Absolute Bar & Bistro a destination for food and drink.

“We will have competitive prices and be dog friendly as well.”

John previously worked at the Waggon & Horses in Westhoughton and says he enjoys working in the hospitality industry.

He is also the son of the former professional footballer who goes by the same name and played in the Premier League for Bolton Wanderers.

The Victoria is set to officially open again on November 3, and will be open throughout the week during various times.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.