A PUB at the heart of Middlewich’s canal network has been bought after years of neglect and residents will be offered a chance to buy shares.

The Kings Lock on Booth Lane has been bought by Cornerstone Inns, which also runs The Town Hall and Folk and Boat Festival Bars in Middlewich as well as various pubs in Winsford.

The pub, which has been in a run-down state in recent years, will be refurbished and given an all-year round Folk and Boat festival feel.

Members of the community are also invited to buy shares in the pub and will be offered a free a drink every week for a year in return for buying a £100 share.

Damon Horrill, managing director of the Cornerstone Inns, said: “I’ve heard a lot of people talking about the pub in the 1990s and saying it was the best place to be in the town at the time, so we want to get it back to being like that.

“We want to turn it into not only a stop-off for canal boaters but a destination and an ideal place for lovers of folk and boats and real ale to visit.

“With us having so much experience in canal boat pubs we are perfect for taking this pub to where it should be and we want to make it work instead of just make money.”

The pub is at the centre of the annual Folk and Boat Festival and organisers of the event hope to see it thriving again during this year’s festivities.

Dave Thompson, events manager of Middlewich Town Council and one of the Folk and Boat Festival organisers, has welcomed the takeover.

Dave said: “It is fantastic news for Middlewich and the canal boats that come through the town.

“Damon has a great track record of taking on run down pubs and turning them into a real community hub.

“The main thing is that it’s not just another manager taking over to make money it’s a local owner who has put his heart and soul into it and that will make a big difference.”