Award-winning Westhoughton bar Koo ‘under new ownership’

KOO bar, located on Market Street, won the accolade of best cocktail bar in the North West at the Food and Drink awards in 2020 and 2021.

The current owner took over from the previous owners of the bar, which originally opened in 2017, back in 2019 – just three months before Covid.

Since taking over, the new team opened an additional floor, refurbished their beer garden, added pavement seating, and refurbished the main bar area.  

In 2023, landlady Charlotte told The Bolton News that the bar had been contending with "sky-high energy prices" and price increases.

However, owner Stephen and landlady Charlotte have now announced they will be stepping down and moving on from the bar, which is now "under new ownership".

Bar manager Charlotte, pictured in 2021 after KOO's awards win

In a Facebook post, the duo wrote: “We’d just like to announce that KOO is now under new ownership.

“It’s been just over four years since we took over the bar and we’re proud to have made quite a few changes in that time including opening the upstairs seating area, new bar area, beer garden and pavement seating area as well as winning some food and drink awards for best cocktail bar.

“Along the way, we’ve had some big challenges (Covid), met and worked with some great people and had fantastic customers so thank you all for visiting while we've owned it.

“It’s time for a new chapter for us but the bar is being left in great hands with the new owners, they have some exciting plans for the future, fundamentally though KOO will remain the same and you’ll continue to see familiar faces behind the bar.

“There are a lot of things to get used to over the first few weeks so please have a little patience if reservations etc are a bit slower than normal until the new owners have a chance to find their feet.”

Customers wish outgoing owners luck

Customers were quick to wish Charlotte and Stephen luck.

On the Facebook post, Sylvia Millar commented: “Good luck on your new adventures.”

Lisa Babington-Hall commented: “Best of luck to you both and thank you for some great times.”

Koo Bar is located at 105 Market Street in Westhoughton.

The bar, which has a five-star food hygiene rating, is open from Thursday to Sunday, remaining open until 12.30am on weekends.

As well as a Happy Hour on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, the bar also offers a £4.99 cocktail bar designed to make cocktails more accessible.