A TOWN centre pub in Kidderminster has been saved from closure and will reopen under new management in October.

JD Wetherspoon, which owns The Penny Black in the Bull Ring, confirmed in February it had made a "commercial decision" to close the pub down this September.

But while Wetherspoon is still set to leave the town, The Penny Black venue will remain a fully-functioning pub thanks to the signing of a 20-year lease with a new owner.

Adam Wilcox, who runs nearby bar The Vault, will relaunch The Penny Black as 'Pennies' after a quick refurb at the start of October, creating around 20 jobs in the town.

Pennies will continue serving food and drinks to customers seven days a week, but Adam also has plans to introduce live music events, themed nights and a weekly karaoke night.

Adam told The Shuttle: "The pub will be closed for between five and seven days while we give it a lick of paint, change the light fittings and install the new signage, then we'll be reopening at the start of October.

"We'll be mirroring what is already happening at The Penny Black. We'll be doing food seven days a week starting from 8am, and prices will remain cheap - not as cheap as Wetherspoon prices, but still low.

"I'm going to be applying for a variation of the licence to get live music into the venue so that we can have live bands and themed motown, soul, 80s and 90s nights, and karaoke night on a Tuesday.

"It won't be a nightclub, but rather a community pub with feel good music entertainment."

He added: "The Penny Black is the epicentre of the town and people were so shocked when they heard it was closing down.

"It doesn't need changing completely. It just needs an independent like me who understands the area and the venue to take it on and build upon what's already there."

Adam says The Vault will be open daytimes, offering discounted drinks prices while The Penny Black is under refurbishment.