A Preston cocktail bar is preparing to reopen at the end of March.

Fives – in Guildhall Street – was taken over by Simon Rigby in November.

The multi-millionaire, who also owns and operates Preston Guild Hall, secured the building after coming to deal with its previous owner Edgar Wallace.

Mr Rigby has now leased the bar to London-based operator Shaun Patchett who runs Hudson’s House – an upmarket bar in Soho.

The refurbished Fives will open on Friday 31 March and has seen a major revamp.

Mr Rigby said: “I am pleased we’ve found a serious London operator to take a long lease on Fives.

“London operators are looking for the next city, and especially one that’s on the up, so Shaun choosing Preston can only be good for the city.”

Read more: Simon Rigby visits the Palace to receive MBE

The deal for Fives means Mr Rigby is focusing efforts on creating one casino in the city, as Edgar Wallace had been pursuing plans to convert Fives into one.

How do you feel about Fives reopening? Did you ever drink there? Let us know in the comments below