A POPULAR Kearsley pub is due to re-open at the end of the month, just weeks after it closed.

The Moss Rose pub in Manchester Road, which was used as a wedding, birthday and funeral venue, opened its doors for the final time on Sunday January 4.

Devastated former regulars at the pub cited competition from supermarkets as one of the main reasons for its closure.

But now, a new tenant has been found for the pub by its owners Punch Taverns, who hope to have opened it by the end of February.

The pub will re-open with its current name and health and safety are currently being carried out on-site.

Roy Farnworth, aged 82, first visited The Moss Rose with his father in 1951, when he was 18.

Mr Farnworth, of St Stephen's Gardens, Kearsley, said: "This is great news — The Moss Rose is the only pub in our area and I hope that when it opens it won't be changed too much.

"I always remember The Moss Rose as a family-friendly pub where people can go with their wives and girlfriends and I hope the new tenant can attract the right sort of people.

"One thing I would to see come back is the sing-a-long event we used to have every Wednesday — that always used to be popular."

Mick Sackfield, who used to be the landlord of a nearby pub called The Antelope, first visited The Moss Rose in 1969, and would regularly look after the pub while its owners were away.

Mr Sackfield, aged 68, said: "I'm delighted The Moss Rose is re-opening, as it's the hub of our community.

"It's a very friendly pub, where everyone knows everyone.

"Sadly, times have changed over the last 15 years and not as many people were visiting the pub before it closed.

"But good luck to the new tenant and I hope that if it can attract the right sort of people it can go back to its hayday."

Kearsley councillor Liam Irving, who often used to visit The Moss Rose pub, said: "I'm very, very pleased about this.

"People know The Moss Rose — it's always been a popular place."

"The pub needs good beer at a reasonable price and it has to provide a warm environment for everyone."

A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "We have recruited a new tenant for the property. It will re-open as a pub and will still be called The Moss Rose.

"We are currently completing some essential health and safety works but hope to have the Moss Rose open and trading by the end of the month.”

The Moss Rose pub was temporarily closed in 1990 while it was given a makeover and then re-opened as a Vaux pub.