YOU might not have heard of Maggie Elliott but her name will soon be above the door of a new bar in Carlisle.

Maggie Elliott was bar boss Sammy Norman's great grandma.

She regularly fed the orphans of Carlisle from a soup kitchen - long before women were in business.

Now, her name will be above the door of the former Le Gall bar and bistro on Devonshire Street.

Sammy, who runs the Shabby Scholar and Dutch Uncle in Carlyles Court, is taking over the premises formerly run by Denise and Ron Wood.

It will be called Maggie Elliott and the Three Pillars.

He said: "Maggie was my great grandma and she was quite a character in the city. She owned her own business when there weren't a lot of female business owners around.

"She used to have a soup kitchen and she would feed the orphans and make sure they had food.

"She died quite young. She was quite large lady."

The three pillars - which are already a feature in Le Gall - represent three special people in Sammy's life who brought him up and gave him so much.

It is hoped the bar will open in mid November for drinks.

Sammy said: "We will open for drinks first and then after Christmas we will get a menu together and start doing food.

"We've had a logo made featuring a pocket watch with an image of Maggie on it.

"I can't wait to open. We are taking on about 15 to 20 members of staff and I am looking forward to being on one of the busiest bar streets in Carlisle.

"We will be housed among some of the best bars in the city. The Thin White Duke is possibly the best bar in the county and we'll be alongside Eaten by Monsters and close by Amante.

"We can't wait to get going and add to the already amazing establishments in the area."

The bar is currently being painted and Sammy has plans to add some more equipment in the kitchen before he starts serving food.

In the run up to Christmas Sammy will once again be collecting gifts and presents for those less fortunate in the city.

In the past he has helped by putting free sanitary items in the bathrooms at his bars for those facing period poverty.

For more information about his Christmas gift drop, pop into one of his bars.