A POPULAR Barrow pub that has undergone a major transformation is due to open its doors this weekend.

The Furness Railway in Abbey Road is set to welcome back its punters today after closing its doors on August 10.

After a two-week closure, the popular haunt is now set to make its debut as a newly refurbished bar, restaurant and hotel.

Rob Hope, manager of The Furness Railway, is delighted with the transformation and is eager to show it off to the public.

He said: "The hotel is amazing and the pub is going to look completely different.

"We've got rid of all the old decor and replaced it with more neutral colours.

"The bar has been extended out as well so it's now very long and very big."

Employing 50 members of staff in total, The Furness Railway has employed 11 new members of staff for the hotel and a further six for the bar itself.

The former Co-Operative building has enjoyed a £3.5m makeover including new furniture and the total rewiring of the whole building.

Mr Hope said: "The pub has been the same for 17 years so it's nice to have a new injection of life into the place."

The pub was scheduled to be shut for almost a month from August 10 to September 1 but the smooth process has brought the opening forward to Bank Holiday Weekend.

Despite the quick turn around, the revamp gave a rare glimpse into the past with a number of hidden artefacts. 

Mr Hope explained: "It's been quite an interesting process.

"We found some interesting things like an old cigarette box hidden in the wall so there were little bits of history from things like that."

The 50 bedroomed hotel will be the final part of the business to open on Tuesday September 1.

The bar will be open for drinks on Saturday August 29 and food will be served from Monday August 31.

It has also developed a meeting room within the premises that can be used by members of the public.

Mr Hope said: "I'm very excited to open.

"I just want to get the doors open and get the customers in."