WORK has begun on a £310,000 refurbishment of a village pub which will create 20 new jobs under new owners.

The Stanhill pub in Oswaldtwistle is closed for a makeover by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensee and chef Brian Healy.

The pub is due to reopen as The Stanhill Pub and Kitchen in mid-February, creating 20 new jobs.

The investment will aim to ‘restore it to its former glory as a great village pub’ and introduce food and cask ales as well as adding a children’s play area.

Mr Healy grew up in Blackburn and previously ran Healy’s Wine Bar and Brasserie in Accrington before fire forced its closure last year.

He said: “I’ve driven past The Stanhill for over 20 years. I’ve always admired it and thought what potential it had, never thinking I’d be lucky enough to be its licensee one day.

“I want to bring it back to life and make it a family-friendly pub that Stanhill can be proud of and where everyone feels at home.

“As a chef, serving good food is a priority for me but The Stanhill will be very much a pub that serves food, not a restaurant.”

The revamped pub will pay homage to Stanhill’s history as the village where James Hargreaves invented the Spinning Jenny.

It will have its own house beer, Hargreaves Ale, to commemorate the inventor and the Spinning Jenny will feature on the pub’s sign.

The outside of the building will be restored and repainted. The garden will also receive a makeover with new decking and seating for 70 as well as a secure children’s play area.

The inside will be completely redecorated and refurbished and new toilets and Sky and BT Sport channels will be added.

A kitchen upgrade will enable The Stanhill to serve freshly-prepared food with local produce.

The pub will also have a barista-quality coffee machine and will open early for breakfast on Sundays.

Star Pubs & Bars regional operations director David Pritchard said: “We’re delighted that Brian is working with us to revive The Stanhill’s fortunes.

“He knows and loves the area, is a fantastic chef and is passionate about serving great beer and creating an outstanding village pub.”