One of Newcastle's favourite pubs is marching back into the spotlight with a refreshed look.
Sgt Peppers, which is tucked away in Vine Lane off the top of Northumberland Street where it has soldiered on for years, now has new owners who have undertaken a spruce-up.
The pop bar has always been highly ranked by customers who no doubt will be quick to sign back up to their regular once it reopens its doors this Friday evening.
With a new month marking a new start for the city favourite - whose first weekend back in business, this February 1-2, will see it promote what it calls the "best of lagers, cider and beers in town" - its fans will be relieved to know its core attractions, however, remain unchanged.
Music has always been a big part of the pub, which opened in February 1988 and is named after The Beatles' album, and its familiar disco nights of sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties hits are legendery.
One concerned fan was soon reassured after asking on Sgt Peppers' Facebook page: "Will it be the same cheesy music? Hope it is!"
Ahead of its relaunch, The Chronicle had a preview of the overhaul carried out over the week-and-a-half closure by its new owners Tony Maughan and his son, also called Tony, who have run the The Star Inn in Westgate Road for the past four years and also have The Swan at Heworth.
What regulars will notice is the new carpet and new gents' ladies' toilet facilities while out of sight is a revamped cellar and new equipment behind the pumps which also will be adding Guinness on draught for the first time.
The Maughans have taken over following the previous owners' retirement and they are focused on keeping the music theme, with plans to add a Beatles-theme wallpaper to complement the rest of the music memorabilia.
"It's been a successful business," said Tony Maughan senior, adding that the pub is particularly popular with hen parties.
Sgt Peppers opens at tea-time on January 31 and getting everyone in the mood for a celebratory party will be the usual disco with DJ Scarlett from 7pm.
And it will be serving the likes of a double Smirnoff or Jack Daniels with mixer for £3.95 plus a £2.95 cocktail range which still includes the popular Pink Lady mix of rose wine, vodka and lemonade.
Saturday night, like Friday, also will be Disco Night showcasing favourites from the sixties to nineties.
A Soul Sunday night will be introduced next week, with Motown and a soul DJ, while there are also plans for midweek student nights.
Weekends will see late night opening at the bar with the licence allowing drinks to be served until 1am while mid-week opening will be from noon until 11pm.
