After being closed for almost a year a pub has reopened in the heart of Westhoughton.

The Victoria Pub on Market Street opened its doors yesterday (Wednesday) and will be open today - but its 'grand reopening' will take place tomorrow (Friday).

Manager of Absolute Bar & Bistro next door, John McGinlay, will by running the pub and hopes to improve the pub and place it in the heart of the community.

He said: “To get the people we got in during the soft launch was really good.

 

The Bolton News:

“It’s something we have been wanting to do for a while and great to open before Christmas, and build momentum for this place.

“I am looking forward to getting it officially open now and making it what we know it can be.”

The pub has undergone a huge refurbishment from the outside to the inside, 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.

John added: “It should bring a nice homely feel to the place.”

The pub also has a big screen for punters to enjoy a variety of sport.

The Bolton News: Customers will also be able to take a trip down memory lane with pictures on the wall representing local people, including sports stars from back in the day.

John added: “It’s a journey down memory lane, and it’s nice to put some stuff up for people where they can reminisce.

“A lot of the pictures are from Market Street.”

John hopes that the pub and bar next door can be a hub for people to go to in the area, where they know they can enjoy themselves.

He added: “I have a great team as well that are going to be part of both, and some staff will float between the two establishments.

“It will be a good chance to get to know the customers in both places.”

The Bolton News: A friend helping to get the place up and runningA friend helping to get the place up and running (Image: Newsquest)The pub also offers competitive prices, with Foster’s being priced at £2.60 and Carling priced at £2.80.

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

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.