AN ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE pub hopes to become a mighty Oak once again as it reopens.
The Royal Oak, on Nook Lane in Hurst Cross, will be serving again after a refurbishment costing more than £300,000 on Thursday, April 17.
New woman in charge Naomi Pinder grew up in the surrounding area and has spent the last 15-years working locally in various positions within the NHS.
Prior to her time working in healthcare, she worked in the hospitality industry and even helped her family run their very own community pub in a nearby village.
And she is looking to cementing it at the heart of the local area.
She said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be taking over The Royal Oak and I can’t wait to open our doors to welcome everyone in and show off the pub’s fantastic new look and everything it has to offer.
“Having been raised in the area and spending many years working in pubs with my family, when I saw that The Royal Oak was available, I knew I was ready for an exciting, new challenge and leapt at the chance to take it over.
“This is an incredibly exciting new chapter for me and I look forward to all that’s come!”
Going forward, Naomi hopes to support several community initiatives and will start by fundraising to have a lifesaving defibrillator installed at the pub and collecting food to donate to the local food bank.
She is also hoping to work with several local and national charities close to her heart including Willow Wood Hospice, Andy’s Man Club, the local hospital’s children’s ward and MacMillan Cancer Support.
Owners Proper Pubs have put in a new bar area and refreshed furniture, flooring, fittings and fixtures.
The games area has been revamped to include a new pool table and dartboard, and the pub will boast five televisions complete with Sky Sports, TNT and horse racing channels.
Outside, The Royal Oak’s beer garden will see brand new wooden benches and a pergola.
The pub will reopen at 5pm on Thursday, April 17 and to celebrate will host a DJ followed by a special live performance from local artist, Dee Dee Allen at 8pm.
Matthew Gurney, Operations Director for Proper Pubs, added: “I am delighted to welcome our brand new operator to The Royal Oak and it’s been a pleasure working so closely with her to bring the vision for this fantastic community pub to life.
“I’m confident the operator’s hands-on experience within the hospitality industry, combined with her local knowledge and passion for the community, will enable her to create a thriving social hub where residents can come together.”