THE temporary closure of The Met has left a cultural void in Bury – but a Tottington licensee is doing his best to fill it.

Will Parry took over management earlier this year of Hark To Towler, in Market Street, a venue once synonymous with Heavy Metal music, with a promise to bring an eclectic range of music to Tottington, and to restore the pub to its former role as a community resource.

Since then, the former manager of Manchester’s iconic Cornerhouse, and later Odd Bar in the Northern Quarter, has been as good as his word, hosting performances by acts as diverse as former Stone Roses frontman Aziz Ibrahim, acclaimed Americana act The Hayes Sisters, local up-and-coming group Novustory and the legendary George Borowski, immortalised as Guitar George in the Dire Straits’ song Sultans of Swing.

Mr Parry also launched a successful Thursday open mic event and a monthly comedy club - but recently the pub presented controversial Texas based singer/songwriter Micah P Hinson, in the only appearance on the artiste’s itinerary outside London.

Mr Parry said: “I want to provide a ‘jeans and T-shirts’ alternative venue for Bury and the North Manchester area.

“I want it to have a bit of an edge and a bit of an attitude and as well as established acts, from folk to electronica.

“I’ll be giving local bands who fit the bill the chance to show what they can do – kids who’ve got something about them – and if my knowledge, contacts and experience can help them to progress, then I’ll be happy to act as a mentor on their behalf.”

It’s not just live entertainment that’s planned for The Towler. DJ sets by the influential Steve Cobby and broadcasting legend Andy Kershaw are already in the diary for the summer.

Mr Parry added: “I hope more local people will come along and give us a try – the beer’s excellent, too.”

Full details about future events, go to The Towler’s Facebook page – which now boasts almost 1,500 members.