A COUPLE have set up a new micropub.

The Darwen Tap has been opened up in Blackburn Road by Julie Kilcoyne and her partner John Hoodless where Darwen Deli was based.

Around £20,000 has been spent on refurbishing the venue which now sells a range of cask ales from across East Lancashire.

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After working in administration and accounting for most of her life, Miss Kilcoyne, 57, said she wanted to try out something new.

She said: “I was introduced to cask ales by my partner who has worked at Bolton Beer Festival for a number of years.

“He has always wanted to set up a micropub. Ales are his real passion and that has led me love them too. I said we could set it up together. It’s a trend that really seems to be taking off around here.

“I wanted to get out of an office and try out something different. I have always fancied setting up a bar because I am a sociable person and I enjoy meeting all the different characters that come in.

“We have had a positive reaction from everyone so far and it’s quite unique to the town as I think we are the only one apart from Number 39, the Hopstar tap.”

It is yet another venue to come into the town after many others in the past couple of years, such as Essence, Level One Live and H2O Bar.

The nightlife in Darwen has been compared to the likes of Manchester and Preston by leading councillors and bar managers recently.

Mr Hoodless, 54, who has been on the committee for Bolton Beer Festival for a long time, will be running the bar with Miss Kilcoyne in between teaching at Smithills School in Bolton.

Bank Top in Bolton, Reedley Hallows in Burnley and Hopstar in Darwen are some of the breweries that are set to feature at the Darwen Tap.

Miss Kilcoyne said: “We want people to come and have a chat with friends and enjoy a quality product.

“We only have quiet music on the in the background. We have no fruit machines or anything like that.

“It’s all about enjoying the experience and we are looking forward to meeting more and more customers.”