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Pub gets new lease of life
A Leyland pub which closed its doors last month is to re-open after a facelift.
The George IV shut on August 16 when former landlords Chris and Tracy Lee quit after 15 years.
Now the building has been bought by businessman Darren Miller, who runs the Barrister's chain of bars.
He has invested 750,000 in refurbishing the building in Towngate and plans to re-open on Tuesday as a piano bar, providing regular live entertainment.
He said: "If I can introduce another nice place into Leyland it will be a good thing.
"I've been looking to put a Barrister's in Leyland and tried for another site. This came along and I went for it."
Mr Miller is an experienced publican and already runs bars in Chorley and Bolton.
He has ploughed his own cash into improving security, upgrading the sound system and giving the pub a more open feel.
Extra seating has also been included to discourage "stand-up" drinking.
A piano will also be brought into the pub for regular live music performances.
He added: "I'll have live entertainment like Irish and traditional music. There's also a disco room.
"But we're looking for the average age to be over 30 at weekends.
"Hopefully, I've brought to Leyland something they've not seen before."
Eight cask ales will be on sale alongside six different lagers, from a mixture of local and national breweries.
The opening has created 20 jobs in the bar and kitchens.
And Mr Miller plans to expand his empire into the Preston area, opening between 10 and 20 bars in the next few years.
The George IV has had a chequered past, with former landlord Mr Lee taken to a licensing review by Lancashire Police over allegations of assaults and theft inside the premises.
He was stripped of his licence by South Ribble Council in May 2008, but former wife Tracy stepped in to keep it open.
The pub was put up for sale weeks later, with the former Leyland Pubwatch chairman blaming low trade and the smoking ban.
Barrister's will re-open on Tuesday at 8pm.
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
