THE couple who have taken over a Worcester pub are convinced they can make a big success of it.

Marc and Pauline Johnson who run the Coppertops in Oldbury Road, St John's, Worcester say they have a proven track record of turning pubs around and bringing in the punters.

We have already reported how the Johnsons took over the pub, owned by Westbourne, from the previous manager, Tracey Franklin, on October 13. A heated meeting took place on that day between Mrs Franklin and representatives of Westbourne, the day the Johnsons signed the lease. Neil Tooth, Westbourne's operations manager, was heard by this reporter telling Mrs Franklin the pub was losing money 'hand over fist' and threatening to change the locks if she did not hand over the keys.

The matter was further complicated because Mrs Franklin's daughter, Megan Franklin, 17, and her daughter Grace Phipps, lived above the pub. They are now living in a bedsit in Warndon, Worcester, but are hoping to move to another address in City Walls Road in a fortnight, a family member told us today.

Mr Johnson said he had already started planning a series of events at the pub to draw in the customers, starting off with a fancy dressHalloween Disco this Friday, beginning at 8pm and a second Halloween Party (non-fancy dress) the following night.

Mr Johnson, 43, of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, already has 18 years in the pub trade behind him and said the pub, which 'could be the biggest in Worcester', afforded good opportunities. The outside of the pub is now filled with signs advertising future events at the Coppertops.

He said: "Now you're not going to lose us, you should come and use us. We are classed as 'proven operators' in the trade - people who can take a pub that is not doing too well and get it back where it should be. It is a pub with so many opportunities. We have five rooms - we can have two parties on, a bar running and a lounge and still have a spare room. We will utilise every bit of space - that keeps you busy all day. We want to keep some things the way they are but you have to bring in new ideas. In a place like this you have to get all the rooms working and earning for you. Everyone that has come in has been happy. Our job is to bring people in. We have done it before in other pubs. Things need to change and we're happy to change them, to make things better."

The schedule of events includes Crib on Mondays, darts and line dancing on Tuesday, pool, boxercise and an auction on Wednesdays, learn to dance and women's skittles on Thursdays, karaoke and disco on Fridays, Insanity keep fit and bingo, an end of week quiz, win a gallon of beer and play your cards right on Sundays.

The couple are offering the use of the function room free-of-charge for events like weddings and birthdays. The pub is also providing food now. To contact Mr Johnson call him on 01905 749700.