A PUB has reopened its doors following a £400,000 refurbishment.

National pub operator Punch has invested in the major renovation of The Windle on Hard Lane.

The project is the first significant investment in the pub for more than 20 years and has involved a complete internal refurbishment as well as improvements to the garden and car park.

The pub launched with a VIP reopening event on Thursday evening and is sitauted close to two new housing developments at Bellway’s Beech Gardens off City Road and at the former Polar Ford site.

As well as a new look, The Windle has a new publican, 30-year-old Michelle Peake who has previously taken on the Red Lion in Lowton in 2014 and transformed it in to a thriving community local.

Michelle says she is now hoping to do the same at The Windle.

“I always knew The Windle had the potential to be a great pub and now, thanks to this investment, it looks better than ever before," she said.

“I’m really looking forward to showing customers all of the improvements and putting The Windle back at the heart of the local community.”

Among the features at the new-look Windle will be a range of smokehouse grill dishes, including chicken wings, ribs and beef brisket.

Sport will also play a big role and, in addition to a pool table and darts area, there will be large screens playing all of the major sporting fixtures from Sky and BT.

Publican development and training manager for Punch, Alex Felix-Thomas, said: “Michelle is a great publican and we are proud to be supporting her in this new venture.

"I am sure customers will be delighted with the improvements to the pub and the warm welcome on offer.”   

Pictures courtesy of Robbob