AFTER covid-related problems, alleged vandalism, and a four-year closure, one of Leigh's most popular pubs is set to reopen this week.

Tucked a few minutes away from Leigh town centre along the canal, the Waterside Inn has been a hugely popular boozer for Leythers over the years.

However, after the pub was forced into closure in the early stages of the pandemic, Greene King later announced that it would not be reopening the Waterside, due to ongoing issues surrounding the pandemic and "other mitigating factors".

While the venue has remained closed to the public for four years, there has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes after the independent pub operator DCB Group took over the premises last year.

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Leigh Journal: A historic photograph of the canal-side buildingA historic photograph of the canal-side building (Image: The Waterside Inn)
With a desire to refurbish and revive the canal-side pub, DCB had a huge hurdle when initially taking over the site, after allegations of vandalism and theft allegedly left the pub with extensive damage.

Nevertheless, the pub operator persisted with its plans and after a long refurbishment project, the Waterside is set to reopen on Thursday, April 25.

Leigh Journal: A wide selection of drinks will be on offer at the WatersideA wide selection of drinks will be on offer at the Waterside (Image: The Waterside Inn)
As well as the pub's spacious indoor space and wide selection of drinks, the new Waterside will also provide a mouth-watering menu including starters and desserts, as well as homemade pizzas, burgers, grilled meats, and more.

The venue will also open an outdoor bar as it plans to broadcast Leigh Leopards fixtures and Euros matches this summer, while live music events are also planned throughout the year.

Leigh Journal: There will also be a selection of coffees, cakes and desserts at the pubThere will also be a selection of coffees, cakes and desserts at the pub (Image: The Waterside Inn)
Chris Roberts, managing director at DCB, said: "We have refurbished the pub to how we think it should be, with new and modern equipment but also keeping it as original as possible.

"We have had fantastic responses to the pub's reopening online and we want to bring a really good pub back to life.

"With the Leopards doing well and the regeneration proposals that are coming, we think that there is potential for massive growth in Leigh and hopefully we can help bring more people into the town centre."

Leigh Journal: The Waterside will reopen on April 25The Waterside will reopen on April 25 (Image: The Waterside Inn)