A POPULAR pub has opened a new events suite.

The Derby Inn, in Dalton Road, Barrow has been planning to fill this space for a number of years but bosses said now was the ‘right time’ to do it.

Managing director Gary Wood said: “It’s always been on my radar to do it, as it has always been a wasted space.

“I took over the business more than three years ago and this was one of the first things I wanted to do, when the time was right. We just wanted to make it a little bit different to anything else in the area.”

Gary said that since the announcement his phone has been ‘non-stop’ with people getting in touch to book out the room.

Gary added that he ‘didn’t expect the reaction’ from people wanting to book the room out.

The new suite was launched with a rugby presentation event, which saw friends and family celebrate the opening.

On why he wanted to set up this new venue, Gary said: “There was a gap in the market there for a nice, different looking function room with a nice vibe. A bit out of the normal decor, something a little bit different.

“In the past we have run big venues and it doesn’t work really well with around 100 people turning up, but with 50 to 100 people turning up in this new function room it is perfect, it is a really good atmosphere.”

Gary added: “We wanted to get it launched before Christmas, that was a big factor.

“Financially it just fit to be able to do it now, i have been planning it for a long time and envisioning what it could be like and now it is here.

“It is very exciting.”

Gary is planning to hold more events in the new function room, including club nights, acoustic nights, weddings and christenings. He also said that they are going to start advertising the room for conferences.