TWO friends are thrilled to have reopened a Bradford bar they've adored for more than a decade.

Jess Taylor, 36, and Stacey Pedley, 35, now run The Terrace, on Albion Road in Idle, and have brought back the venue's former name - Symposium Bar & Kitchen. 

It officially re-opened last Friday (May 5).

In the space of three weeks, the pair managed to give the building a makeover.

"Symposium has always been different," Jess said.

"It brought a touch of class to the village, an upmarket night out.

"We have had a good reaction (since taking over), it has been really pleasing."

Jess, a graphic designer, and Stacey, a qualified accountant, had gone to the Symposium and then The Terrace for more than 10 years.

When they heard the bar was up for sale in January, they jumped at the chance to enter the industry.

Jess added: "We had been going for over a decade then one night in January we heard rumours it was up for sale.

"We have worked in pubs when we were younger.

"We decided we wanted to hark back to the name as it had been going for 40 years."

The women were keen to revert back to what the bar used to offer.

"We have had a makeover. It is not a big change but we have made it on-trend and cosy," Jess said.

"It used to be a beer pub but they have not done cask ales for a while so we have brought them back.

"We are offering bottomless brunches and Sunday lunches.

"We have swapped the toilets over and got new furniture and signage."

Speaking after Symposium reopened, the ladies said: "We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who made it to our opening night.

"It was everything we hoped for and more. We’d hoped to get more pictures of our amazing customers enjoying the evening but it was so busy we didn’t get the chance.

"We’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us get to this point.

"Refurbishing a bar in three weeks isn’t an easy task and we could never have done it without the support of countless friends, family members and local tradespeople who have worked alongside us.

"Last but not least we’d like to thank our wonderful bar staff and chefs who make the Symposium such a special venue, we’re incredibly grateful to you all."