A NEW bar is set to open its doors in Westhoughton.

Absolute Bar and Bistro will be opening in Market Street in the coming days, offering its patrons a “comfy environment” to enjoy a drink or two.

Joe Fairhurst, who works as a builder, said that he and his partner, Natalie O’Neill, had wanted to open a bar for some time and were delighted at their new venture.

The plans have been in the pipeline for several months and Joe and Natalie have been hard at work painting and decorating the interior to a high, modern standard.

He said: “It is something that I have been doing with my partner as it is something we have both been interested in for a while. I run Absolute Finishes in Westhoughton and had wanted to run a bar so decided to give it a go.

“We have had the building for 18 months now and it is nearly all finished and completely done.”

In addition to a normal selection of spirits, beer and ciders, Absolute plans to be open in the morning, offering teas and coffees for those up bright and early and wanting something to kick their day off.

At the weekends the bar will be open until midnight, adding a new location for those seeking a fun night out in the town.

The bar will also be offering small nibbles, tapas food and a TV to help create what Joe calls a “comfy environment.”

Joe said that the bar should be open by the end of the month and that he can’t wait to welcome customers, following a difficult 18 months in the pandemic.

He said: “We are ready for it to be open and we can’t wait. We have put a lot of effort and time into doing this - there have been a lot of early mornings and a lot of late nights.

“I will be spending a lot of time in there myself when it opens, obviously just in the back or in the cellar to cast my eye over everything. It will be really good to get going at something different.”