Heath Ledger?s friends and family have decided to fulfil the actor?s plans to open a bar in New York.

The 28-year-old star, who died of an accidental overdose in January, was set to launch BrightSide in Brooklyn with friend and business partner Jud Mongell. Ledger?s father Kim has now donated funds to the venture, which includes an engraved chess table, in order for the opening to go ahead.

Mongell said of Ledger?s passion for the project in The Daily Express: ?He drew the floor plans and thought of the name ? BrightSide ? because it?s on the bright side of McCarren Park.

?Heath was a big chess player. The whole idea was to make it a spot for us. We wanted to make it our own space to hang out.?

Designer John McCormick, who worked on the Beatrice Inn ? one of Ledger?s favourite haunts, commented: ?He specifically talked about having a big table for him and his family to sit at. It was great working with Heath. He was such an unassuming guy.?

A source added: ?Everyone is really excited that Heath?s bar will open soon. He played an active part in getting the project together and he was looking forward to having a bar where all his friends could hang out.

?It will just be the coolest place and Heath would have loved it. There will be a lot of chess tables because Heath loved to play.

?He loved hanging out with his friends so this will be a fitting tribute to him. We?re all really happy that his last wish is about to come true.?