BOSSES at a real ale and gin bar are expanding and breathing new life into a former popular venue in Ramsbottom.

Mike Jones and Amanda who run Casked Real Ale House and Ginporium in Rawtenstall have been working since last year to re-open 'The Lounge' on Prince Street.

The 57-year old said: "We had heard about it was available last year and we have been trying to re-open it since Christmas but there were a few complications especially with coronavirus we have only had three weeks and we are no repairing and refitting it.

"We have done a lot but we have been splitting our time between our other site and this one.

"It is a bit tiring and we are a bit weary and has been difficult time trying to get materials because of COVID but have been able to scrounge around to get the stuff.

"It is going to be a couple of months before we are able to open again."

Mike added that the reaction locally on social media to the news has been great.

He said: "It has been really well received and people are looking forward to it and it fills us confidence that people will be coming down.

"Ramsbottom is a great place for food and there is a great variety and diversity and our new place will also balance things up.

"We hope to make people to stay in the town longer with another place that has a personal touch with cask ales and gin.

"We don't want people to go into Manchester or elsewhere and hopefully they can come to our place."

The move to expand the Casked Real Ale House and Ginporium brand and Mike added that they had worked hard in Rawtenstall during the pandemic to keep running.

He said: "We have had a year of strange times and we were running takeaway ales which made sure that we kept going.

"We are really excited about having two places when we open."