Brothers in arms for rebirth of The Village pub

May 21 2008 By Dale Williams

A BAND of multi-skilled brothers will be keeping it in the family when they take on the extensive refurbishment of a Birmingham city centre pub in just three days.

Lawrence and Darren Barton have enlisted the help of their three brothers for the £250,000 investment at The Village, in Hurst Street.

Lawrence, 34, who is a director of city-based GB Training, in Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham, and Darren, 39, have taken on the venue as a venture of their own.

The businessmen plan to a glittering relaunch at the popular pub and entertainment venue tomorrow evening.

Lawrence is in the privileged position of having older brothers who are skilled at construction including plumbing and building.

Their mum Gill Barton, 63, recently hit the national headlines because it emerged she had created a multi-million pound training business at the age of 50 after bringing up her brood and having numerous jobs, including that of a bingo caller.

Lawrence, from Solihull, said on Monday: "It is going to be hard work but we hope to transform the pub into a great new city centre attraction in record time.

"I'm lucky to have a family who are not only supporting this new venture but are also providing real hands-on help. We want The Village to open in time for Birmingham's Pride 2008 festival which is being held over the Bank Holiday weekend on May 24 and 25.

"I've booked a host of great cabaret acts to give the venue and the festival a brilliant start."

Older brother Darren added: "We are a close-knit family and we are always working hard to help each other out."

* The Village opens at 7.30pm with a game show, complimentary cocktails and canapes.