TWO brothers have breathed new life into a run-down pub in Mellor Brook.

John, 62, and Peter Knowles, 55, made a joint investment of £286,000 with Punch Taverns to restore the Feilden’s Arms to its former glory.

And they are looking at improving five more pubs across the North West, including another pub in East Lancashire.

Peter, who lives near the Feilden’s Arms, said he could see its potential.

He said: “We had seen the Feilden’s Arms decline and we thought we could put it back on the map.

“We’ve taken it back to being the hub of the village. It’s now a great locals’ pub with a quality food offer with everything from a fish finger buttie to a fillet steak.”

Peter said the rejuvenation was clear to see on opening night, when they took over £3,000 on the bar alone, as food was not yet being served.

In December, the pub served 5,000 meals, with 3,000 of them pre-booked, and the staffs at the pub were surprised with the strength of the drinking trade the pub has done so far.

The brothers have now chosen a second pub in Wynbunbury, Nantwich and have already planned a £250,000 refurbishment.

One of the potential sites for the remaining four spaces could be in East Lancashire, with the brothers looking to spread across the North West.

“We never went into this for just one pub,” says Peter.

“The target is to have six pubs up and running in three years.”

The brother’s new pub company is called Nextep Inns.

They also run an accountancy business Nextep, which has pub sector customers.

On the relationship with Punch Taverns, Peter said: “Our business development manager Tracy Duncan is very supportive and Punch Taverns came up with the investment in the pub it said it would.”

Tracy said: “John and Peter have made a great success of the Feilden’s thanks to hard work, a great offer and outstanding energy and ideas, not least in their skillful marketing.”

Peter’s wife, Helen, is overseeing the pub’s website.