A NEW rock bar has opened its doors in a town centre.

‘Big House Rock Bar’ was opened in Wellington Fold last Friday (March 29) by Horwich-based businessman Sam Cooper.

It will act as a sister bar to the Big House Blues bar next door which Mr Cooper opened in August 2017.

Bar-goers will be able to enjoy rock music ranging from Anthrax to ZZ Top.

Mr Cooper, 59, who will enlist the help of wife Dianne Cooper and son Sam Cooper Jr and chef Darren Westhead, said: “This will be a rock bar that will play duke box and rock music.

“It’s next door to the Big House Blues bar and is something I’ve always wanted to open.”

The bar will be open Wednesday to Sunday and will serve sandwiches and hot drinks and alcohol and will have around 60 seats.

Mr Cooper said: “The Big House Blues bar has been really successful since it opened and the new rock bar has been really so far and has had a lot of good reaction from people.

“It’s not just a random bar and is proper classy and done up and refurbished.

“I’m pretty excited by what this has to offer.”

The opening follows that of its sister blues bar whose building began life as the historic Darwen Catholic Club which was built in the 1920s in Wellington Fold and closed nearly three years ago.

The old building was bought in November 2015 by blues loving business partners Sam Cooper and Eddie Valentine, who gave the place a complete makeover.

Darwen Town Council mayor, Cllr Roy Davies, said: “Darwen has a mixture of different things including shops, takeaways and bars.

“Darwen is also the place to be for a night out.

“People are coming from all over the place to visit bar’s like this and the town’s pubs.

“We certainly have a vibrant nightlife.

“Hopefully we can see more done with town’s daytime economy also.

“However we want new businesses in the town and wish this new bar well.”

For more information, visit Big House Rock Bar on Facebook.