AN ICONIC Victorian pub is set for a £150,000 overhaul as its ambitious new owner aims to restore it to former glories.

The Duke William in Burslem had stood empty for around three years up until last week.

But the three-storey pub in St John's Square is now surrounded in scaffolding as new landlord Mark Aston sets about bringing one of the town's oldest drinking establishments back to life.

The 47-year-old has remained tight-lipped on how much he paid for the pub. But its freehold was advertised at £175,000 in August and the new boss admitted it was a six-figure fee.

Mr Aston, who also runs the Mother Town's Post Office Vaults, hopes to create five jobs and open in April.

It will be a traditional pub downstairs, while the large second floor will host live music.

"I want to bring the pub back to how it was before," he said."The majority of the features are original to when the pub was first opened up in the 19th Century and, if it means spending a little bit more money to maintain them, I'll do it.

"There is a large circular bar right in the centre with a heated foot stand that passed around it.

"There are also wooden bells on the walls which customers used to press to get a waiter over. In time, I may bring that kind of service back."

Mr Aston said people had told him about the pub in the past and said it was falling to pieces.

But he added: "I looked at it recently and thought it was the sort of challenge I need to take on.

"The people in the area deserve this pub to be up and running, and that's what I want to do."

Mr Aston took over the Post Office Vaults with wife Joy, aged 49, three years ago.

The pair have since won plaudits from real ale fans and the father-of-three says beer lovers won't be disappointed by the selection in the Duke.

He has also called time on his previous profession, overhauling old buildings, to oversee the ambitious project.

Mr Aston plans to run the pub with 22-year-old daughter Gemma when work is completed.

The new venture will run alongside the Post Office Vaults, as well as nearby Chambers Wine Bar, which Mr Aston's daughter Melissa, aged 25, manages.

Gemma, who is currently a barmaid at the Vaults, said: "I'm really excited about it. It's a big pub but we are up for the challenge.

"Hopefully we can really add something to Burslem as it's a town that needs investment."

Potteries Pub Preservation Group spokesman Mervyn Edwards, pictured, said: "I'm absolutely delighted the pub is reopening.

"It's next to a major gateway into Burslem and to have it up and running will be fantastic."

Clive Ameson, chairman of the Potteries branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, also welcomed the rebirth of the pub.

"It's excellent news and I know that Mark will make it a success", he said."You can't fault the job he has done with the Post Office Vaults and I know he will make it a success.

"In these times it's great to see a pub reopening."