A PUB which has stood in a village for more than 400 years has closed while £150,000 of refurbishment work take place.

The White Bear in Barrowford closed this week as workers set about the improvement works.

The new look will reflect the pub’s history with mill-themed artwork, complemented by Burnley FC memorabilia.

The renovation of the pub in Gisburn Road will also include new solid wood flooring throughout, which is suitable for dogs and a fresh look for the cobbled beer garden, with rattan furniture. Two new jobs will be created following the refurbishment.

The pub’s manager, Martyn Haynes, said: “The refurb is about making sure we’re rewarding locals with a continually evolving pub, making it the perfect environment to socialise and relax, while offering a different reason to visit every day.

“We cannot wait to reopen and get everyone back in to enjoy the new look.

“We hope they will like it as much as we do, it’s important to make sure the pub is up to date and appealing to a range of customers.”

Six cask pumps featuring local breweries such as Moorhouse’s, Reedley Hallows and Bank Top will be available.

Live sports will be shown in the pub, including football and boxing.

It is locally known that the Grade II-listed pub, the largest in the village, was the hiding place of Methodist preacher John Wesley when he was chased by a mob in 1774.

Before becoming a pub the building was home to the ‘cotton king’ John Hargreaves.

The pub will reopen on Saturday, January 27. Opening hours will be 11.30am to 11pm from Sunday to Wednesday, and Friday and Saturday 11.30am to midnight.

A charity Casino Royale fundraising night will be held on Friday February 2, and guests will include Pendle’s MP Andrew Stephenson.

The event will raise funds for Pendleside Hospice and mental health charity MIND, with prizes including a hospitality package for a Burnley FC home game.