New pubs and bars in Uxbridge and West Drayton are opening this month, despite latest figures showing that 40 pubs nationally are closing each week, and beer sales are at their lowest levels since the 1930s. DAN COOMBS spoke to three new management teams to find out why they think their businesses can be a success

**THE RED COW, YIEWSLEY THE Red Cow in High Street has had an enormous makeover. Previously a run-of-the mill high street bar, now it has, in the words of the new owner, been 'revived' as a Motown-style music venue.

Larger-than-life character Barry 'Del Boy' Denham took over last month, and immediately started putting his own brand on the place to help it stand out.

It has been completely redecorated in an American style, complete with £1,000 pool table. The previously red facade has been replaced with a black, arty frontage.

The pub is the same in name only. Every Friday and Saturday night will be dedicated to live music, with performers taking to the stage, and Thursdays will be for karaoke.

"We are not a sports bar, we have no televisions whatsoever," said Mr Denham. "We are a dedicated music venue, and since the makeover we have had great feedback."

At the drop of a hat, he was able to organise a Cadillac and two models to pop down for our photographer last Friday afternoon.

Even the food is true to the style of American 1950s/60s diner, with fresh hotdogs and chunky burgers.

Mr Denham said: "We are catering for all generations, but mainly the older crowd. There's nothing over 1980s in the jukebox, which itself is a bit of a relic."

Best for: Music lovers

**THE SWAN, WEST DRAYTON

A COMMUNITY hub with a dog that plays pool - not something you come across every day.

Jane and Bill Wright are the new managers of The Swan in Swan Road, having previously managed pubs in Wales and Hampshire.

Mrs Wright said: "We want a nice community pub full of 'close knit' people. We want to see families, and are looking at special offers for OAPs at lunchtimes.

"We want the pub to have a warm, friendly environment - a place to have a laugh. We work a lot of hours behind the bar, so we don't want to be miserable.

"All our food is up on the board and it's all home-made. I make the Sunday roasts from scratch, and there's not an 'Aunt Bessie' in sight."

In contrast to The Red Cow, there will be live sport on television, and the Wrights say they want to introduce raffles and games to keep the bar lively.

The star attraction, however, is their four-year-old Welsh border collie, Meg, who has lived in and around pubs her whole life.

"She provides entertainment for hundreds of people," said Mrs Wright. "If I had a fiver for each person I saw taking a photo of her playing pool, I would be very rich indeed."

The Swan has an official opening on Saturday at 8.30pm. There will be a buffet and cocktails, and Jacqui Lee, a Shania Twain tribute act, will perform.

Best for: Families

**THE ELECTRIC LOUNGE, UXBRIDGE

THE Electric Lounge opens on Friday, the latest in a long line of monikers for a bar at the end of High Street.

Nazdarovya, Base Bar, Rendezvous - all recent incarnations for the corner site that was once one of Uxbridge's two lap dancing clubs, and a fair step from the busier parts of the street.

But the new managers are confident they have the know-how to make it a success. Paul Wilkins and Chris Good believe they have found a clubbing venue that the discerning crowd of over-25s will visit, from across west London.

The bar will be officially for over-21s, but aimed at the over-25s market. It remains in the ownership of Enterprise Inns.

The pair have invested more than £150,000 in the bar, and predict the work will carry on going right up until the launch. Talk about spending a penny - the toilets alone cost £60,000.

Mr Good said: "Having run very successful clubs and bars in Watford and Windsor for over 10 years, I feel I have a good understanding of what our target market want from a venue.

"Uxbridge and the surrounding area have a great night life heritage that has lost its way lately, but we have no doubt that we can replicate at The Electric Lounge the success we have had at other venues."

Aware of the venue's chequered reputation, Mr Good is keen to emphasise the new slate. Base Bar was plagued with problems, involving complaints about noise and fights, which at one point brought an enforced weekend's closure by Hillingdon police, and Rendezvous came and went within seven months.

"We want to distance ourselves from what has gone on here at the bar before," he said.

Paul Wilkins learned his trade working for one of the world's leading nightclub brands, Hed Kandi.

He said: "The Electric Lounge is a destination that gives the customer that extra special experience, whether they just want an informal after-work drink or a high-quality, memorable clubbing night."

The pair plan on attracting renowned DJs to the venue, starting at Friday's launch with Andy Norman. Best for: Clubbers

* LICENSING OFFICER'S VERDICT SERGEANT

Ian Meens is the licensing officer for Hillingdon police, heading a small team responsible for monitoring every licensed premise in the borough and working with Hillingdon Council, which since 2003 has been responsible for issuing both premises licences and personal licences.

He believes the ownership changes prove all is not lost in the pub trade.

"Pubs in the high streets have suffered for a long time, but this goes to show that people will always do the sums and think: 'I can make this work'," he said.

Involved with putting restrictions on the former Base Bar, including the number of bouncers, CCTV, and restrictions on groups after a spate of trouble last year, Sgt Meens said the conditions on The Electric Lounge will still be 'quite restrictive'.

He said: "We have relaxed them a little bit and had discussions with the new owners. Most pubs have to offer something a bit different to survive. Barry at The Red Cow knows the area very well. Whether it be food, sport, or music, to get by now, pubs have to offer more than just a drink."

* What makes your perfect pub? Which is your favourite borough pub, and why? Post a message  here and we will pay the most popular watering hole a visit.