THE Craven pub in Skipton has been given a £55,000 facelift not to bring it into the 21st century but to put it back into the 19th!

Licensees Michelle Crocombe and James Marren want to provide a similar service to that offered when the pub first opened in about the 1850s.

It is unclear exactly when the pub was built but Mr Marren thinks it was constructed as a hotel and inn serving the railway workers and passengers when the station was located on the Tesco's site.

At some point the building was bought by the Brewster family who converted the hotel into pub.

And throughout the 1970s there were rumours that the pub had strippers performing during the afternoons and of all day and night drinking sessions!

Twenty-five years ago Thwaites Brewery bought the premises and it has remained relatively unchanged.

But when the present licensees took over about a year ago they pressed for the brewery to spend some money on it.

Miss Crocombe said: "It was very run down and needed doing. It has had nothing done for about 14 years."

In November the pub closed for four weeks while builders, painters and decorators moved in to transform the interior dcor. There are new carpets, tables and chairs, wallpaper and curtains.

Mr Marren said they did not move the bar as they like the small corner one and did not want to create a trendy wine bar.

However the couple decided they wanted to re-introduce the sale of food, so kitchen had to be installed - possibly the first since it was run as a railway hotel.

Initially only lunches will be served but if demand is great enough evening meals could be offered.

In another bid to expand the pub, the licensees hope to reopen the bedrooms.

Planning permission has already been sought and a bed and breakfast facility should be up and running in the spring.

The Craven boasts a large pool room, where it is possible to take a shot from any position and not hit the wall, and offers good cask conditioned ales and premium German beers.

It has been renowned for hosting live bands and will continue to do so but hopes to expand on the range of music to appeal to a wider audience.