:Victoria and Albert Pub, Horwich to undergo transformation

The Victoria and Albert pub is currently closed to punters whilst the interior undergoes a huge transformation.

This will include new wallpaper, carpets, tiles, and furniture such as new upholstered seating.

Damien Stubbs – from The Flat Iron in Chorley – will become the manager at the pub, whilst Matthew Rees will be the pub operator – who will lay out the structure of how the pub will be run.

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Matthew set up his company P&A Pub Group in 2022 after operating and owning The Flat Iron in Chorley since 2019 – which he still does.

Matthew – who lives in Hoghton, Lancashire - said: “It’s a good opportunity to come to a focal part of the local area, and a lot of people go from Chorley to Horwich, and from Horwich to Chorley, so it was just natural that we progressed this way.

“And after doing my research, I am looking forward to getting my teeth sunk into Horwich.

“I know this pub has had a lot of changes with managers, but it’s going to be operated by myself for the next 10 years.”

Matthew has been in the pub industry since he was 16 and says it’s what he knows.

He has now taken on a lease at the pub for the next 10 years, and is making some big changes to the pub, including installing nine big screens for sports.

There will also be live music, karaoke, games, and a DJ, as well as five real ales, a large selection of spirits to choose from at the bar.

Matthew said: “We are stripping it back to refurbish it.

“There are no major structural changes, but it will look different when people walk in.

“There will be work done on the beer garden, but we are getting the inside done first.”

Matthew says that The Flat Iron is an example of how the Horwich pub will look.

There are no plans for food at the moment, but Matthew says that once they are open, this will be looked at.

The Victoria and Albert is expected to open around Easter time.

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