IT'S a case of "all change, please" at railway emporium The Locomotive. The York pub reopened this week after a two-week refurb. A useful 40 grand has been splashed out on the Watson Street house. Landlord Dave Hay is chuffed with the results, and so, more importantly, are the customers.

"We reopened on Tuesday night," he said. "It got a very, very good reaction."

The lounge, he said, has changed "quite drastically". It has been redecorated and the tables and chairs have been replaced.

"The raised area across the back has been extended into the lounge," he said. "People sitting there sometimes felt a bit isolated. We've opened it up a bit."

Dave, who runs The Locomotive with his wife Moira, used to be in the motor trade.

This is his first boozer, and he has been working there since November. But he took over the lease when it reopened. Why did he make the switch to running a pub? "I have always wanted to do it. I saw the chance and grabbed it."

He feels very suited to the pub. "It's a classic. We get a really mixed crowd in here, younger and older people."

The pub serves Tetley's bitter, which one brewery manager described as the best drop in York.

"We don't do food at the moment, but hopefully that will follow," said Dave.

u THE Cock and Bottle has made a triumphant return to the York drinking circuit. Rising from the ashes of failed wine bar Villiers, the C&B has reopened just in time for a spectacular weekend of sport.

A new widescreen TV will capture all the action, including the Grand National, the England-France rugby international, two FA Cup semi-finals and the All England Pro-Celebrity Tiddlywinks from Roehampton.

Wearsiders and Teessiders can enjoy the North East needle match, Middlesbrough v Sunderland, at the Skeldergate pub on Monday night.

Fiery redhead Paul Gardner has set up a new umbrella company to run his two pubs, the Greyhound at Dunnington and now the Cock and Bottle. He's called it Ginger Taverns, making him the Chris Evans of the licensed trade.

"I'm very pleased with the new look," said Paul. "It's good to have it back as it was."

He was not a fan of the Villiers decor, which he described as like "an Eighties pop video".

Alan Jackson is the landlord of the revived pub, which will offer a lunchtime buffet and carvery for hungry sports fans. John Smith's and Boddington's are on draught, and look out for special offers on bottles.

u BAR Talk has often spent a restless night dreaming of comely wenches serving up a tasty drop of free ale.

And now our dream has come true. To promote their beer festival later this month, staff at the Lendal Cellars are dressing up as Victorian wenches (including the lads, nightmarishly).

The event goes by the succinct title of the Bet You've Never Had This One Before Festival, and runs between April 19 and 29.

It is being promoted by the Lendal pub's very own Rebecca Crisp. She will be handing out free samples of the ale at the front of the Cellars, in eye-catching wench garb.

But the big dressing up day is on the Sunday, April 22. To add to the atmosphere, York town crier John Redpath will be performing some magic tricks. And a pianist has been hired to provide the music.

Free food will be on offer and, if you bring your own tankard, you'll get a free pint.

Among the bottled beers set to go on sale are Skullsplitter, Golden Ale and Bombardier. Cask ales include Yella Belly, Nightmare and Pendle Witches Brew. These great British offerings will be supplemented by a range of Belgian beers, including one clocking in at a mighty nine per cent ABV.