A NEW landlord has pledged to transform a York pub.

Paul Harris, 35, is determined to create a family-friendly environment at The Acomb, in Kingsway West, Acomb.

The father-of-five, who took over four months ago with his wife, Cheryl, said: "When I first got here begging was commonplace outside and I found evidence of heroin use in the toilets.

"But I intend to change that.

"If anyone throws a punch in the pub now I will ban them for life. We won't tolerate any fighting.

"My message to the people of York is 'give it a chance'."

Paul has ambitious plans for The Acomb (formerly known as The Acomb Hotel), which will cost more than £80,000 to implement.

They include:

An indoor multi-purpose play facility for children

A new beer garden with decking area and French doors

Live music and televised sport

New pub teams in football, darts and pool

A complete refurbishment both inside and outside.

Paul, a fitness fanatic and body builder, also plans to fully restore the building's historic clock tower which has not worked for 20 years.

"It's going to take at least a year to turn the pub round, but I like a challenge," he said.

"One of the problems is that the building looks so imposing.

"I want to install windows where you can actually see inside.

"I want it to be a real community pub which will appeal to families.

"We get some lovely people coming in here."

As a qualified joiner, Paul plans to do most of the refurbishment work himself.

CCTV cameras are soon to be installed at the pub.

Paul, who grew up in nearby Middleton Road, said: "I would never had dreamed of taking on any other pub apart from this one. It means a lot to me."

Paul regularly gives over the use of the pub's function room to members of the Rock Church for Christian meetings.

Christian comic Tommy Cannon recently gave a talk there during a Buzz Of Life course.

Updated: 09:46 Saturday, July 26, 2003