An East Lancashire pub chain is expanding and is set to open a new venue in Darwen.
The Bees Knees, a pub chain with several sites in East Lancashire, is set to take over The Millstone pub on Bridge Street at the end of February.
Owners, Philip James and John Ashley, plan to give the pub a £60,000 makeover, rebranding it and transforming it to match the ‘Bees Knees aesthetic'.
Philip said they will be handed the keys at the end of February and hope the rebranded pub will reopen at the start of April.
He said: “We have always wanted to open a venue in Darwen as we have other venues scattered around East Lancashire.
“We are going to refurbish the pub up to the standards of the Bees Knees.”
Like other Bees Knees sites, this Darwen venue will have a ‘botanical’ aesthetic that Philip says will look excellent in Instagram pictures.
Bees Knees pubs are known for selling cocktails unique cocktail flavours and the Darwen venue will be no different.
It will also be a sports bar where punters can enjoy a drink while watching live football and beyond.
Philip said: “It’s going to feel like a proper sports bar, with botanical décor that will look great in an Instagram picture.
"It will appeal to cocktail-lovers thanks to the range of different drinks we provide.
“Those with sporting interests will also enjoy the venue as we will be showing live sports.
“We’re looking forward to getting started it should be good.”
Philip hopes customers can “embrace the change” and trust that the venue to facilitate a great night out.
He said: “I hope the punters who currently visit the pub can embrace the change. We run many successful pubs around East Lancashire.
“We are price conscious in the areas we trade in and give a very good sports, cocktail and nightlife offering to the town.
“We like to do our own thing. People already know our brand and know to expect a great night when they come into one of our venues.”
Other Bees Knees venues, which are currently open in Colne, Accrington, Blackburn Burnley and Rawtenstall, will also be undergoing a refurbishment in the coming years.
The Blackburn site, in Lord Street West, is set to be refurbished this summer.
Philip said: “Over the next few years we will also be refurbishing our other existing Bees Knees sites, so they look more like our new style.
“Our Blackburn site has been open for several years now and the business is doing quite well so we are going to put some money back into the property now and update it.”
Thwaites has been approached for comment.
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