A POPULAR Penhill pub is preparing to re-open weeks after it closed suddenly last month, thanks to the generosity of a local man.

The Deers Leap on Penhill Drive is undergoing speedy renovations following the signing with Enterprise Inns of a mysterious new tenant last week.

Penhill man Danny Smith is teaming up with former Deers Leap landlord, Colin Knight, to manage the pub on behalf of the tenant, and they are currently carrying out the renovation work with the help of family, friends and members of the local community.

Danny said: “We’ve lived here all our lives and we’re doing it for the community.

“So many pubs are closing at the moment and we don’t want our estate to turn into one of those. We want to support the community and get the community involved as much as possible.

“I’ve lived here all my life and it’s nice to have that connection. Wnd we want the community to support us because this is for them. We want local people to look after it.”

Renovations will include the re-covering of the soft furnishings, painting, decorating, a newly renovated bar, and a complete facelift of the back function room, which will be transformed into a dedicated space for live music events.

One of the main new attractions will be the return of popular live music nights, which have not been a regular feature of the pub for about 15 years.

Danny said: “The guy who has bought it can’t stand seeing it boarded up, and we’re making a stand from the community point of view.

“We’re going to stand up for the community and give them something to be proud of in Penhill.

“It’s all about getting us on the map – let’s get us something to be proud of.”

Danny hopes that the renovations will be completed this week and the pub will be up and running by the weekend.

He said: “It’s a big challenge to try and get it done by Friday, but we are very determined to get it done.”

The Deers Leap will celebrate with a grand re-opening in a couple of months’ time, once the function room has been completed.