Excitement is building as a historic town centre pub is set to open its doors TONIGHT after more than five years following an ambitious project undertaken by a father and son.
The Prince William Pub building on Bradshawgate dates back 150 years, and was last open in 2017, before it closed its doors.
Andy Golden and his dad Tommy from Manchester, wanted to restore the building as much as possible, whilst adding a modern touch to it.
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It has involved extensive repairs to some of the ceiling, roofing, and paintwork.
Tommy said: “We’ve still got a bit of work to do, but we’re looking forward to it, and looking forward to welcoming people back into Prince Billy’s.
“It makes you feel like you’re putting a little bit back into people’s lives, because a lot of people who came and went here, are no longer with us, but hopefully people who knew them will come in and have a drink on their behalf.
“And that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
The pub will now be known as Prince Billy’s, which will be a "nod" to the old pub, while also looking to the future.
The front of the pub has also undergone detailed restoration work, which has been a big part of the work carried out.
Andy says that the pub was left for six years, and eventually began to deteriorate.
Andy will oversee the running of the pub, while his dad has taken on the role of the joiner, which he is skilled in, as well other building maintenance work.
He has been in the industry since he was in his teens, and he successfully ran Tahiti Bar in Stockport for 12 years with Tommy, who looked after the building maintenance.
Tommy also comes with as much as 30 years nightclubs, bars, and pubs experience.
Andy said: “We were looking for something to bring back to life, and in our other bar there is a guy who provides fruit machines, and he owned the building, and knew I was looking for something, and we signed the lease in June.”
The majority of materials, including wood have been used from closed down bars.
The pub is opening tonight at 7pm for a soft launch with a tribute act performing, before the highly anticipated grand opening tomorrow (Saturday November 25) at 7pm, also with a UB40 tribute band.
Andy has asked for anyone with any old pictures to send them to him by emailing him at andy@princebillys.co.uk.
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