THE businessman behind the successful transformation of Winsford's Chasers to DBs - now one of Winsford's most popular nightspots - is taking over the Red Lion in Middlewich.

Damon Horrill is hoping to re-vamp the run-down pub in Wheelock Street to make it the town's top venue.

He is planning to introduce live music, cheap drinks, discos and a complete new re-fit to the pub.

Damon sees it as a challenge having already taken on several projects including Telfords bar in Chester, transformed from a derelict building into a thriving business, and DBs where more than £200,000 was spent improving the building.

He is also hoping to attract new customers by offering free transportation to DBs after last orders at the Red Lion.

Damon said: "The Red Lion has previously been known as the Tut 'n' Shive and The Cat's Whiskers. It's been out of favour with the local community and needs some investment.

"We are willing to put the work in and invest a similar sum as DBs into livening the place up. But we want to ask the people of Middlewich what they would like to see."

Damon described his aims behind the project.

He said: "People from Winsford don't tend to go out in Middlewich and vice versa so it's way of bringing both towns together for a good time."

Andy Tomlinson will become the licensee and general manager of the Red Lion, while Damon will oversee the running of the pub.

But will there be a change of name to mark the pub's new management team?

"That's up to the people of Middlewich," Damon said, "We want them to decide."

Damon officially takes over on Monday, February 15, and he says residents will notice the radical changes.

"There have not been any discos or live music for a long time so straight away we will be changing that. We want this place to appeal to all ages with a wide variety of feel good music.

"Most drinks will be on offer at a massively reduced price of 99p for at least three months until we complete the renovations.

"It's a sort of pledge to customers. We are saying 'we will offer you cheap drinks until we get the place refurbished to suit your needs'.

Anyone with any suggestions about how the Red Lion can be improved can contact Damon Horrill at DBs on 01606 558596 or send their views to Winsford & Middlewich Guardian, "Red Lion refurbishments," FREEPOST CW742, Winsford, Cheshire. CW72AE.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.