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The fate of popular Leicester pub The Criterion Free House has been a talking point among real ale fans for months - and now the venue's owner has revealed all to LeicestershireLive.

The multi CAMRA-award-winning pub, in Millstone Lane, will be re-opening - with a new look and a new name.

It is owned by Dhillons Group, a London-based business run by a family who have an interest in brewing, pubs and the wholesale of beers in the Midlands.

They say they are looking to expand the number of pubs they have in the Leicestershire area.

According to a director of the business, The Criterion is currently undergoing a refurbishment project, but will be up and running very soon.

Real ale fans needn't worry, as there will still be a wide range of real ale available, along with a new eclectic choice of beers from around the world.

The food offering will be focused on pizzas - something for which The Criterion had already become well known.

One thing that will disappear as part of the changes is the name The Criterion.

It will instead be called Dhillon's Pub and Pizza, to reflect the fact that the focus is on "great pizza and great beers".

The pub was built as the Nags Head by Burton brewers Bass, Ratcliff and Gretton in 1960, and has been known as The Criterion Free House since 2003.

The Criterion has been closed since February this year.

According to posts at the time on the pub's social media accounts, this was 'due to electrical issues.'

It is intended that the pub will be re-opened by the end of September.