Can you help drink the bar dry?

The Howard Arms, on Lowther Street, will host a Drink The Bar Dry Party on Sunday, May 12 from 12pm.

Dianne and Iain Irving, who run The Crown Inn at Stanwix and The White Mare at Beckermet, are the new owners of the pub.

The Howard, a 16th-century coaching inn, will be their third venture.

Dianne said: “Our last day of trading under Max and Trev will be Sunday, May 12.

“The pub will be closed from then for refurbishment until early July.

“We would like to thank all of our customers for their continued support and we hope to see many of you before we close.”

The Howard Arms has been open as a watering hole since the late 1880s.

It has a grade-II listed frontage with ornate green tiles.

Earlier this year it applied for planning permission to change the use of its first floor from accommodation to a restaurant.

Plans were passed.

Dianne said: “We want to move the kitchen upstairs to give us more space.

“The pub is listed so we will be keeping the historical aspects and we’d like to make more of the State Management side of things.”

Last year, The Crown in Stanwix won a national award for its “dramatic transformation” following the work done by Mr and Mrs Irving after they took it over.

It was named ‘Best Turnaround Pub’ at the prestigious Great British Pub awards in London last year.

A £350,000 makeover was carried out over the course of six weeks which was well-received by regulars and new customers.

The pub was also nominated for its courtyard area.

n Work started this week to create a new outside area at the back of The Halston hotel on Warwick Road.

A spokeswoman for the hotel said: “As part of our continued commitment and development of The Halston, we are creating a much-needed outdoor space for our events.

“The new space will offer a beautiful entrance, garden terrace area and provide a gorgeous backdrop for wedding photos, welcome drinks and outdoor events.”