IT'S goodbye Hello Dolly's and time to start making whole new ConnXtions at Blackpool's latest disco bar.

In the running for the resort's most frequently re-named venue (try The Grosvenor, Bodgers and Cow Bar for starters), the Cookson Street pub has now been given a touch of the stars and stripes by latest lease holder Jeff Davies.

Although born in St Edmunds, these days Jeff is as American as the proverbial apple pie, having been brought up in The Carolinas, where he owns a gay nightclub. So what the heck is he doing injecting a hin-energy US of A policy into a hostelry which was once owned by comedian Frank Carson? "I was coming back to buy a flat in London as somewhere to vacation in," he admits.

But as a lad he grew up at Myrtle beach in South Carolina and one of his first jobs was working on an amusement park there just as it transferred ownership into the hands of Blackpool Pleasure Beach owners, the Thompsons. "So I was employed by them and I felt a kind of link with Blackpool," he says.

His first UK visit in 25 years took him first to London in July. He says: "What drew me to Blackpool was that the people were so friendly, caring and open just like at home." He was also impressed by what he felt was the council's determination to invest in the resort's future. Jeff added: "A lot of other resorts are going downhill fast but there are people here with vision and I really believe in what they are doing for Blackpool. I wanted to get involved in the grass roots of something I'm sure is going to be huge."

He goes on: "The ConnXtions policy will be dance intensive non-interrupted dance and house music for people going out to the night clubs. I don't really want to label anyone coming in as anything. We call it a PLUR policy -- Peace, Love, Unity and Respect.

"As the only American gay owned and operated venue I'm using the slogan Dare to be Different -- and that will be reflected in the service to our customers and the quality of our beverages."

Open 12pm to 12am 7 days a week. It also boasts the largest variety of drinks on the Fylde Coast. Visa, Visa Electron, Master card, Switch and Solo cards are all accepted and cash back is available.