THE tenants of a Ramsbottom bar opening in the site of a former pub say they hope to establish it as a community hub once again.

The Masons Arms, in Bolton Road West, closed in early 2017, but will reopen as Holcombe Tap on Friday after a major refurbishment which has completely transformed the building.

In addition to an extensive drinks menu, including cask ales, draught lagers, gins, wines, and a host of other spirits, the stylish new bar will also offer a food menu comprising small plates of both pub classics, and contemporary dishes.

Bill Gallie and his son Will are the pair behind the venture, after signing a lease with the building’s owner, Thwaites.

They say they hope to return it to being a hub of the community, while also complimenting the plethora of other bars and restaurants the town has to offer.

Bill, who lives in Harwood, and worked in the hospitality industry as an area manager for various companies before turning to teaching several years ago, said: “We want to be a part of the community, as well as being a local to the residents around here.

“There are lots of really nice restaurants in Ramsbottom, and we are trying to tap into that market of people who might go into Ramsbottom for a really nice meal on a weekend, but maybe on a Wednesday night, they just want to come here for a pint and some nibbles.

“We have got lots of cask ale, some craft ale, so it is a proper pub, but to that we have added 24 gins, we have got cocktails, and an extensive wine menu. It’s aimed at people who want to come to chill and relax.

“Will and I wanted a joint venture. We always talked about it and thought it might be something we did a bit later on in life, but then this site came up.

“It is a lovely area, a lovely part of the world, and we wanted to create a contemporary pub with a traditional feel.

“The building was tired, so we have obviously had to spend quite a bit on it.”

Holcombe Tap will be open from 12pm-midnight, seven days a week, and will serve food up until 9pm.

Responsible for the kitchen operation will be 20-year-old Will, who has worked as a chef in a host of restaurants, including Hoysters, Hearth of the Ram, and The Pack Horse in Affetside, in addition to a stint at The Lowry Hotel

He says the feedback so far has been good, with locals impressed by the pub’s new-look, which includes new kitchen and bar areas, spacious seating areas, and an outside area.

“The old pub was nice and had good cask ales, but this is considerably different,” he said.

“We have knocked through what was an old pool room and put a state-of-the-art kitchen in.

“We have tried to take that traditional pub menu and make it more premium. We are doing small plates where you pick a few and share. It is just meant to be relaxed.

"I really hope that when we open, it does well.”