The Tavern, on Mesnes Street, looked to have closed its doors for good on August 30 with bands and lovers of live music across the borough fretting over its demise.

But, to their relief, father and son team Richard and Jamie Cavanagh have taken over the premises alongside its new landlord Dean Nickson.
The trio are currently refurbishing the pub, which is expected to be reopened at the end of November with the name The New Tavern, and promise that it will be bigger and better than ever before.

Richard, who manages The Fuzzbox recording studio with Jamie, said: "The New Tavern will be purely dedicated to live music and attracting the best new bands from across the country and the rest of the world.

"Fans of the venue will have plenty to look forward to when it reopens next month.
"We had originally planned to open a music venue in The Fuzzbox but that fell through.

"I had been keeping a close eye on The Tavern for the last nine months and so when I heard it was closing I made my move."
As well as honouring The Tavern's roots as a indie / rock venue, it will also be the best place in the borough to hear jazz and blues combos.

Indie and rock sets will be held upstairs while blues bands take to the stage in the basement.
Jamie said: "We have already had a lot of interest from jazz bands eager to play at The Tavern as soon as it reopens.
"The jazz festival held in the town every summer attracts people from across the North West, so the demand is there.
"By offering something a little different we can attract a new audience."

More than £30,000 is being spent on refurbishing the venue and improving lighting and decoration around the stages.
Dean will be living above the indie and rock floor with his partner Paula.

The Liverpudlian said: "Running a live music venue is something that I have always wanted to do.
"And so when Richard and Jamie, who plays with me in the band My Devastated Fan, asked me if I wanted to be a part of the team I jumped at the chance.

"They had always told me about how great The Tavern used to be as a live music venue.
"Hopefully we can make it even better than it used to be during its glory days."