The Horns’ former landlord who ran a pub and music venue in its heyday is set to return as manager.

Musician Denis Cook will not only be returning to the decks at the Hempstead Road pub but also as weekends and evenings manager to line up the live acts.

The pub, which he took over with his wife Pam in 2001 and managed until 2009, closed down on October 21 this year as its operator left citing the business becoming “totally unsustainable”.

Watford Observer: Denis Cook.Denis Cook. (Image: Denis Cook.)However, Stonegate Group, which owns the venue, quickly confirmed that it was aiming to get it back open.

A pub landlord who runs multiple other Watford area pubs will be the new operator after a management agreement with Stonegate, and he got in touch with his friend Denis to ask him to help with the live music scene.

“I’ve been appointed to be a weekend and evening manager with a view to re-establishing the music there,” the musician said. “I’d like to get back to the fun times, great service, and friendly atmosphere we always had down there.”

The new team has been busy contacting big acts and Horns favourites to fill the first months after reopening as well as painting and redecorating the building and arranging its day-to-day operation.

“There is a lot of work to do as the whole place has been completely stripped,” Mr Cook added, explaining that he is even having to find it a new PA system.

“It’s going to take a bit of time to build up, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Watford Observer: The Horns.The Horns. (Image: Watford Observer Camera Club/Vlad Dan)

Upon reopening, with a target of mid-December, The Horns will, at least initially, be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except opening for Electric Umbrella to use it one Tuesday a month.

With plans still in the early stages, the current vision is to rearrange the schedule so big bands with ticketed shows play Saturdays, piano players are booked for Sunday lunchtimes, more live acts play other evenings, and Denis Cook himself is on the decks on Fridays.

He added: “Come back and see us if you have not been in The Horns for some time, let’s have some fun and get back together again.”