Canterbury bar franchise Robbies will open a tavern in the old Cock and Bull building in South Dunedin within a couple of months, and is looking to locate a second tavern in the city.
Renovation has started in the Cock and Bull building in Macandrew Rd, and Robbies spokesman Paul Kofoed said he hoped to have the business open by July or August, although that depended on the granting of consents.
Robbies had started as one bar in Christchurch in 1994 and now had 14 bars in Canterbury.
It wanted to open franchises throughout the South Island, and was moving into Nelson.
Mr Kofoed declined to say how much the renovations at the Cock and Bull building would cost, although they were considerable.
Negotiations were under way with building's owners, as the franchise looked to open a second bar, which would be located in the centre city. He hoped the second tavern would be opened next year.
The Cock and Bull closed in February this year, after the lease expired.
Robbies was seeking to buy the building.
