THE new JD Wetherspoon pub is set to open in Selby next week, following a £1.37 million refurbishment.

Almost 50 jobs have been created with the formation of the Giant Bellflower on the site of the former Everatt’s furniture store in Gowthorpe.

Manager Gemma Butler said: “There are a few bits left to do, but it’s looking very nice.

“At the moment, we have 46 members of staff, and apart from all but one of the management team, all the staff are from Selby. They all seemed really excited when they got in, to see how it’s looking.”

The pub, which opens on Tuesday will be open between 8am and midnight, Sunday to Thursday, and until 1am on Friday and Saturday. It will serve a variety of real ales, including from local and regional brewers, and artwork reflecting the history of the site and the town.

The pub is named after the findings of Thomas Johnson, a 17th-Century herbalist who found many examples of the giant bellflower on the banks of the Ouse in Selby.