The champagne is on ice and the chandeliers are polished and gleaming in a stylish new bar which has just opened in Leigh.

Louis XIV, has been created in the premises previously occupied by Reds bar - the result of a £500,000 refurbishment.

Thanks to its retractable roof and distinctive glass frontage, the new bar and restaurant makes a striking statement at the junction of the Broadway and Leigh Road, in an area which is steadily moving up market.

Richard Gordon, general manager at the bar, said he was excited to finally have the bar up and running after the makeover.

He explained the name and the idea behind the bar's look: "Louis XIV was Europe's longest-reigning monarch and was known as the Sun King.

"His star sign was Leo, which links him to Apollo, the sun god.

"This bar links to the Sun King, because when the roof comes off, the sun comes in."

Almost the whole of the bar's frontage is now glass, which means anyone heading down Leigh Road can see right through the windows into the bar, and sometimes even the kitchen.

The bar is owned by the Estuary Pub Company, whose portfolio also includes the Mariner's Court, on Leigh Broadway.

The firm's latest venue aims to offer customers something a little different.

Mr Gordon explained: "It's not just about what we sell - it's all about the experience.

"We want to do the whole combination, with food, service, staff and atmosphere. If everything doesn't go well together, it doesn't work."

The bar offers 25 different coffees, plus smoothies and healthy juices.

Oysters - freshly landed at Old Leigh - are available every Saturday lunchtime.

You can wash them down with a range of wines from the inexpensive to £2,000-a-bottle Cristal champagne.

The menu offers freshly-cooked, meals, delivered to the table in pots and pans for an added "wow" factor.

Mr Gordon hopes Louis XIV will fit in well with the individual, upmarket atmosphere being cultivated in Leigh.

He said: "It's very different. It's good to be in a street that's not full of businesses which are part of a chain.

"It has a contemporary feel, with funky shops and people doing their own thing, which I suppose is where we fit in."