A CHESTER pub which has been closed since early 2018 is finally ready to reopen its doors to the public.

The Lock Vaults on Hoole Lane has confirmed it is reopening from 11am on Tuesday, December 12.

Initially, drinks both hot and chilled will be available, as the continued refurbishment of the pub's kitchen aims to get meals ready to serve early in the new year.

The £400k refurbishment of The Lock Vaults on Hoole Lane, which is creating 10 new jobs, is being carried out by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and new licensees Wirral resident Carl Burleigh and David Keith, who lives in Liverpool.

On the drinks front, the duo have added a quality coffee machine and upgraded the cellar, installing state-of-the-art dispense equipment. There will be three cask ales on hand pulls and three craft beers on tap, as well as a carefully selected range of premium lagers, wines and spirits.

From Tuesday, drinks being served will be Cruzcampo, Birra Moretti, Amstel and Beavertown Bones on draft plus Sol, Daura Damm, Heineken and Desperados.

Live music will be performed at the pub, with the first act to take place this Friday, as JJ from We're All Aliens will bring his solo acoustic show.

JJ will return, as part of duo Biff & JJ, on December 30 for classic covers and alien anthems.

Situated close to the Shropshire Union Canal, The Lock Vaults may have been named after nearby Hoole Lane Lock 5. To cater for walkers on the canal path, the pub will offer takeaway coffee with bowls of water and free treats for customers’ four-legged friends.

Carl and David want The Lock Vaults to contribute to the community. To that end there will be activities like quizzes and music to bring people together and support for charities and good causes, such The Martin Gallier Project, which recently opened in Chester.

The duo have worked in hospitality venues across the North West.

Speaking before the refurbishment, Carl said: “I always love coming to Hoole and have wanted a pub here for many years. It’s got a real identity with individual businesses and a great community spirit. We hope to add to that by bringing The Lock Vaults back to life as an independently run local."

The pub had shut in January 2018 over structural concerns, and Star Pubs and Bars took over the site from Punch Taverns. Plans to modernise the building and bring it back to life were disrupted when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Star Pubs & Bars’ investment manager Mike Smith added: “The pandemic and its aftermath disrupted our plans for The Lock Vaults.

"We’re delighted to be finally breaking ground and will be working flat out to reopen the pub in time for the festive season. It will look beautiful when the works are completed; the change will be dramatic.

"The area has seen massive redevelopment with many new apartment blocks built. Our aim is to provide a top quality pub for residents to enjoy on their doorsteps.

"Carl and David have decades of experience in hospitality between them and know Hoole well. They are ideally placed to relaunch The Lock Vaults. We wish them all the best.”