What the former SoBar will look like

New owners of the former SoBar, in Avenham Street, are putting dramatic plans in place to transform the venue into a bar similar to Manchester’s renowned ‘Albert’s Schloss’.

Holt Pub Company were handed the keys to the bar last week, and have already put plans in motion to extensively refurbish the place.

This will be the sixth pub that the company has taken over, and joint owners Dave Holt and Darren Cooper jumped at the chance to get their hands on the iconic venue.

The ongoing work includes the removal of the first and second floor.

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There building, which will be called ‘Baker Street’, will feature a black exterior, and copper lighting will be installed around the pub, giving it a Gothic look.

Baker Street Exterior Plans

The owners are keen for the building to work with the business over the road, including Stratos and Angelos, and hope to open the bar in March 2018.

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Joint Director, Dave Holt, said: “We have been after for somewhere in Preston for a while, and when SoBar came up for sale, we jumped at the chance.

“It’s going to be great for the city centre.

“The venue is iconic and it certainly needs a lot doing to it.

“We’re going to give it a dramatic refurbishment and it’s going to be really good.

“We are proper Preston lads, and Darren even came first in the Manx Grand Prix this September!

“Preston is currently undergoing a big revival, and we want to be part of it.”

What the former SoBar will look like

Holt Pub Company is a relaxed pub group, delivering homemade food in original and historic venues.

The company has taken on numerous places that have struggled in the past, and transformed them into vibrant, booming pubs with lots of guests.

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These include Dunkirk Hall, Ye Olde Hobb Inn, and Th’owd Smithy Inn.

The opening date for the new bar aims to be March 2018, but is subject to the work on the building being completed.

However Holt Pub Company are excited to open their new business in the city, and are positive about the developments.

Did you know the former SoBar? What do you think about plans for its refurbishment? Let us know in the comments below