A MARSTON pub steeped in canal history is all set to re-open after being refurbished by a team promising to take the pub towards a new chapter.

The Salt Barge, in Ollershaw Lane, has been acquired by long-term friends Dermot Curran and Spencer Jewitt.

The pub has been shut for the past five weeks while the pair have carried out their refurbishment of the premises, which they hope to turn into a food driven establishment with real ales.

It is reopening today, Wednesday.

Dermot, 48, has a history of working in hotel and football hospitality while Spencer, 42, has worked at the pub before.

He had a spell as assistant manager in 2001 before changing career direction to become a firefighter.

Dermot said: “We have been friends for as long as Spencer has been in Northwich. We’ve been talking about doing it for a while and this place has been on our radar for three years.

“It may be that other pubs in the area are struggling but we believe we have got it at a good time.”

Spencer added: “We have my knowledge of the area – plus I used to live over the road – and the locals and we believe the Salt Barge has something special about it.

“It has never been a food driven house but we are coming in to develop that side of the business and we will be producing good quality, home cooked produce.”

The pub is keeping its sport teams, which is set to please pool, darts and dominoes players nearby and will also be hosting quiz nights and clairvoyant events.

Looking to the future Dermot said the Salt Barge would not be the last pub to be taken under their control.

He added: “We’ve got a long term plan once we’ve got this up and running. We want to expand an outside catering business that we have.

“Then within five years we want to get more pubs on board. That’s the plan.”