A NEW bar has opened and at just 11ft x 9ft could quite possibly be Lancashire’s smallest pub.

The Bob Inn, which opened this weekend, is run by husband and wife team Steve and Jill Cooney along with their family and is a traditional family pub selling real ales and cider on draft along with imported lager and bottled beers for customers to taste drinks that they won’t find anywhere else.

Despite its size, the Steve and Jill have made the most of the space with the cabin opening out both inside and outside of the covered market with the capacity to fit up to 50 people.

The pair has received help with their venture from Chorley Council, which owns and manages the markets, who supported them with turning their idea into a reality.

The Bob Inn will be open six days a week from 10am until 6pm, excluding Sundays.

Steve Cooney, proprietor, said: “My wife and I are really excited for this new venture and we have had fantastic feedback from residents and customers so far, with everybody being extremely friendly and interested in finding out more about the pub.

“Everybody is welcome to pop in and have a look around, you’ll be amazed by the size.

"We’ve opened just before the festive period so that visitors can enjoy a well-deserved drink after all their Christmas shopping.”

Steve and Jill have already got plans for modifications in the New Year, looking into new frontages and decorations to make the pub look even better.

Deputy Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Peter Wilson, said: “The council are really supportive of new businesses coming into the town centre, particularly those like The Bob Inn which offers something different for visitors to enjoy.

“The Markets are booming at the moment with over 70 stalls occupied in the covered market accompanied by an additional 100 stalls each Tuesday on the Flat Iron market, each offering top quality local products.

“We’ve helped a number of new businesses set up in the town centre over the past year and along with the success of the re-opening of Market Street and shop front improvements, the town centre is really buzzing.”