The opening date for a Sedgley real ale pub, which dates from the early 19th Century, has been confirmed as January 5.

The Red Pub Company will be operating The Swan Inn in Gospel End Street. Its director Paul Jones had hoped to get all the improvement work completed in time at the Grade II listed pub for pre-Christmas opening but it did not prove possible..

The Swan will open to the public at lunchtime on Friday, January 5. There will be six handpulls and it will offer two craft kegs as well."

The pub was bought from Stonegate Pub Company in July for £255,000 and has been let to the Red Pub Company. The re-fit of the downstairs has cost around £70,000.

The upstairs of the pub, which was also previously a hotel, has nine rooms which will be let out for a separate Airbnb business. A similar amount is to be spent to upgrade the rooms to a high standard. Mr Jones said the new licence for the pub had been approved, with a 12 midnight closing time each day.

He plans to put on indoor and outdoor music at the pub, which has a snug as well as the main bar. There will also be an outdoor bar.

The Swan, opposite All Saints Parish Church, has been shut since February. It will be Red Pub Company’s 18th pub and 10th real ale specialist premises.