A pub in Bristol has been saved from closure after being taken on by nine local lads with big plans.
The Lifeboat in Shirehampton had been on the market since the latest landlord called time at the bar in November, with building owners Admiral Taverns struggling to find a new tenant.
After nobody had come forward to take up the reins, locals started to worry that the high street pub could suffer the same fate as many others and be turned into flats - but a new chapter was quietly being written in the background.
A group of nine lifelong friends, many of whom sunk their first ever pint at The Lifeboat, were discussing the possibility of making their local their own.
The idea quickly snowballed and what started out as pub chat soon became a reality, after they signed an initial six-month lease with scope to increase it to five years.
Jonny Golder Jnr, John Golder, Martin Ackerman, Bob Hone, Chris Jakeways, George Ralph, Paul Clarke, Julian Stevens and Jerry Male are now pooling their skills to carry out a major renovation project, assisted by members of the local community.
"Everyone involved in the project has a long history with The Lifeboat and many of us have drunk here for decades," said Jonny, 45, whose 63-year-old dad John is also involved in the project.
"We were alarmed that nobody had put an offer in after the pub went on the market, so I contacted Admiral Taverns and said there was a group of local lads willing to take it on if nobody came forward.
"We didn't really expect it to happen to be honest, but last Thursday it all became very real when Admiral asked if we'd like to put pen to paper. We had one final chat between ourselves and decided to go for it."
Jonny, an IT Project Manager by day, said that when the group visited the pub last week and had a proper look around, they discovered just how much work was ahead of them.
The group, some of whom are skilled tradesmen, have roped in the help of friends, family and members of the community to get the job done.
They hope to be up and running on Friday, June 25, marking the launch with one hell of a party.
"We've completely gutted the building and we're starting completely from scratch," added Jonny.
"With so much work to be done in a short space of time, it feels a bit like DIY SOS. Everyone is running around working on different aspects of the project, and there's a real buzz about the place."
Everyone who contributes to the refurbishment will be listed on a 'Lifeboat Legends' board proudly displayed inside the 'traditional' pub, which will have screens showing sport and live music nights.
This show of public appreciation demonstrates the pub's main aim to be a community asset for all residents of the village, said Jonny.
"We want it to be a multi-functional pub that can be used by everyone at all times of the day," he said. "It will be a lot of different things to a lot of different people.
"Over the years Shirehampton has lost a fantastic local called the Rising Sun, a snooker hall, swimming pool and bingo hall.
"This is our way of protecting what we have and saying it has to stop, otherwise there would be nothing left to bring the community together."
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