A POPULAR Brentwood bar and restaurant is reopening after undergoing a £150,000 refurb.

And the investment, at the Slug and Lettuce, is leading to 15 jobs being created.

The bar has been given a new look and now boasts an upstairs VIP area with private booths.

Costa Coffee has also set up a base on the premises – the first branch of the famous coffee shop to open on the High Street.

A special launch event is being held over the bank holiday weekend, with a VIP night on Friday, August 22, starting at 7pm.

Stilt walkers fire eaters and a caricature cartoonist will be keeping revellers entertained, while the first 100 people through the door will be plied with bellinis and Peroni goodie bags.

Glen O’Connor, the bar’s general manager, said the large investment by the Stonegate Pub Company, which owns the Slug and Lettuce chain, will add to Brentwood’s vibrant night time offering.

He said: “This investment is going to make the venue the must attend in Brentwood.”