A BOARDED-up pub many people feared would never serve beer again is set to re-open later this year.

The former Magees pub on St George's Road shut more than two years ago and brewers Greenalls transferred the licence to another premises.

But now businessman Pat Gallagher has bought the pub from a property firm and secured a new licence from magistrates.

And at the end of November it will re-open as Gallaghers' the Oyster Bar. As the name suggests a central feature of the new pub will be an oyster bar serving up sea food snacks.

Another smaller bar will have a reading room atmosphere for people who enjoy leafing through the newspapers with their pint, and a sports bar with TV for customers with a passion for horse racing.

Mr Gallagher, who has been in the area for 11 years running Gallaghers - the restaurant at Little Scotland, Blackrod - said: "I want to cater for people other than the youngsters who have plenty of places to go in town.

"I think people who have been through the youth pubs stage are looking for somewhere different to go."

Mr Gallagher, who comes from a strong Irish background, is promising Guinness is high on his list of priorities for the new venture.

The pub was purpose built in 1928 and has also been known as the Crofters Hotel.

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