A BLACKBURN town centre pub is set to reopen after six months.

The Adelphi in Railway Road could open its doors as early as the weekend of April 15 after it was taken over by new tenant Ben Barker.

The 24-year-old, from Chorley, runs a series of venues in the town including The Minstrel, the White Bull and The Flat Iron.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The former landlord, Steve Whittle, and his wife Diane, announced they had handed the site back to Admiral Taverns in September but will return as licensees.

Mr Barker said the pub will feature nine televisions and a giant screen for customers to watch sports.

He said: “We want to give the place a spruce up and make it look appealing for everyone.

“I’ve been in the trade for 12 months but my mum, Janet, who will help me run it has more than 25 years experience in managing pubs.

“With what is going on over the road with Turtle Bay and the redevelopment we want to add to the nightlife and make it more enjoyable for everyone.

“We hope to bring in a couple of live acts on during the week.

“It’s a really exciting time for the pub and we are really looking forward to getting it back in use.”

The pub has had chequered history and it closed twice within six months last year.

James Newton, former bouncer and member of Improve Blackburn’s Nightlife group, said this was a great chance for the pub to get back on the map.

He said: “I really hope it will be a success it would be a great idea for pub meals to be served.

“It will be a good pub for office workers in that area for when they finish on a Friday evening."

John York, business deveolpment manager for Admiral Taverns, which owns the pub, said: “Admiral Taverns is keen to re-establish the pub’s relationship with the local community.

“Once opened the new licensee and we will work with the local community to agree how the pub can be improved going forward.

“The plan is to open the pub with a focus on sports."