A LOCAL pub re-opened its doors on the weekend after new owners took over a 3-year tenancy.

Friday 13th is known to be an unlucky date, but not for this community who saw the return of their local pub, The Blue Bell Mickley, and it was a jubilant affair.

New landlady, Lisa McPherson said "We did something different each night over the weekend. Friday night was just drinks so that we could get to know the regulars and they could get to know us. Saturday we had a singer on, so it was more of a fun night, everyone celebrating that their local pub is back open again.

"On Sunday, we started with our Sunday roasts and that went really well. We had a full house all day and were sold out on pre-bookings so it was a really good start."

Lisa and her husband David took on a 3-year tenancy after noticing that the pub was available, Lisa said that she heard from word of mouth that the venue was becoming available, had a meeting with the brewery and then at the pub and the whole process was quite quick.

On what she loves about the pub, Lisa said: "I just love the village as a whole, it's such a nice typical country pub village and a village like this needs a country pub and needs somewhere where they can go to.

"Like the hub of community people can just relax, catch up with friends, have good food. Especially after everything everyone has been through in the last 18 months, it's just comfort for people, especially in such a small community."

Lisa and her husband got the keys to the pub in July and wanted to get the pub open as soon as possible to do so, Lisa added "The pub and the community itself is such a well nit community, everyone has been so welcoming because they wanted that community pub.

"Before we even opened we got so many nice messages, people were popping by offering anything they can do to help. It's such a great little community and I am just glad to get the pub open for them again."

Lisa and her husband also brought back the old team to work in the public alongside herself and her husband who works in the kitchen alongside the head chef. 

On the Blue Nell Mickley Facebook page, Lisa wrote "I would like to say a big thank you to all the team for this weekend, we’ve not worked together in 10 months & in a completely different setup but it was like we’d never been away everyone did brilliant & worked so hard!

"Thank you to all the customers who joined us this weekend we really appreciate all the support & you have made us feel so welcome."