Ashby's newest bar is preparing to open its doors next week, bringing Guinness, Irish-inspired food, live sport and interactive entertainment to the town centre.

Fitzgeralds will officially open its doors at 5pm on Friday 9 October, marking the culmination of a transformation that has been around 10 months in the making.

Taking over the former Manhattans nightclub, the independent local operators behind the venue have completely transformed the building into a welcoming Irish pub, with a focus on good pints, good food, live sport and plenty of 'good craic'.

Work began at the start of the year when the former nightclub was completely stripped out, with the team setting out to return the building to its roots as a public house while creating something new for Ashby.

And after months of work behind the scenes, locals will finally get their first look inside when Fitzgeralds opens on 9 October.

A major focus has been making sure the pub can serve the best possible pint – particularly when it comes to Guinness.

The Fitzgeralds team has worked closely with cellar specialists to design a system using shorter and thinner beer lines than usual, helping maximise freshness between the cellar and the glass.

The setup has been designed to ensure consistently high-quality pints across the bar, with particular attention paid to getting the Guinness just right.

Food will also be a big part of Fitzgeralds experience.

The new purpose-built kitchen will serve a selection of dishes, with Irish spice bags and Fitzgeralds' signature kebabs expected to be among the highlights.

These will be complemented by homemade sauces and a menu designed to work just as well for visitors stopping by for food as those settling in for an evening at the pub.

There will also be plenty to keep customers entertained.

Fitzgeralds will feature state-of-the-art interactive darts boards, complete with enclosed booths which can be booked by groups – including for work nights out, parties and other occasions.

Three brand-new, league-standard pool tables have also been installed.

Sport will remain at the heart of the new venue, with plenty of space for customers to watch major football, rugby and boxing fixtures over a pint.

The team also plans to bring live music and entertainment to the venue as it establishes itself as a new social hub for Ashby.

The concept was first announced earlier this year following the closure of Manhattans, with the owners setting out their ambition to move away from the building's nightclub identity and create a relaxed, community-focused Irish pub.

Now, after 10 months of planning, refurbishment and preparation, the wait is almost over.

A spokesperson for The Fitzgerald said: "We have left no stone unturned on this project and we're excited to bring the concept of an Irish bar to Ashby.

"We hope everyone will enjoy the atmosphere we will create here."

Fitzgeralds will officially open at 5pm on Friday 9 October, welcoming Ashby residents through its doors for the first time.