A pub in the town centre of Oldham is currently looking like a building site as its major refurbishment begins.

The Bees Knees pub on Fairbottom Street officially closed after the Easter bank holiday on Sunday (March 31) to make way for a mega makeover.

While AJP Pubs hopes the venue will be back up and running in time for the Euros, staff at the former venue have reportedly been let go - and won't be returning to the swanky new premises in June.

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After more than a decade of "fantastic years" in Oldham town centre, bosses at the pub said it was time Bees Knees was "pimped up" to match its new style as seen in its Blackpool venture.

The Oldham Times: The DJ box was one of the first things to goThe DJ box was one of the first things to go (Image: Bees Knees)

However, AJP Pubs has been tight-lipped about what to expect on the revamp, and it remains unclear if the ironic mural that pays homage to the Manchester Arena bombing attack outside the pub will remain intact.

Bidding goodbye to the pub, its former team members said "Bees won't be the same" when it reopens.

Now, recent video footage snapped inside shows a hefty makeover is already well underway.

The footage shows the "famous carpet" has been ripped up, the DJ box has been dismantled and wooden structures, plasterboard and the premises' wallpaper have all been torn down.

The Oldham Times: Eagle-eyed customers said they could spot lettering on the walls from when the pub was a Revolution barEagle-eyed customers said they could spot lettering on the walls from when the pub was a Revolution bar (Image: Bees Knees)

The stripped-back walls also seemingly hark back to the pub's distant past as revellers can identify faint blue lettering from when it was a Revolution bar "many moons ago".

Meanwhile, wood and debris litter the building - and the pub's boxing arcade machine has been left in the rubble on its side.

Bosses at the Bees Knees confirmed on social media that the "big job is underway" and said residents can collect free firewood from the building.

AJP Pubs has been contacted for comment on the refurbishment plans but has not responded.

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