A popular village pub has officially reopened after it was rescued by new landlords.
The Crown in Ley Hill celebrated its grand reopening on Saturday, September 30 after months long closure.
The last remaining pub in the village closed suddenly in early June to the shock of many residents.
Now Sandra and Rob Dorsett have taken over as the new licensees and officially reopened as a dog-friendly yet traditional establishment.
Sandra described the big opening weekend: “We had a fabulous atmosphere. The village and locals came out, we were overwhelmed. It was absolutely brilliant. It felt like a mini festival! Locals were saying this is how it used to be.”
The couple were both busy behind the bar and sorting out the remaining orders and the kitchen.
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Since The Crown had been closed for months, it needed a small makeover. Volunteers from the village rushed to give a hand in the weeks leading up to the reopening.
“Everybody worked so hard and it has paid off. People got their pub ready and they can say ‘I painted this bit’,” Sandra said.
She said feedback from the customers about the way everything looks has been “lovely”.
“People have been very responsive and they said the village has felt very empty without it.
“We wanted to bring a place to come and sit, chat, drink and eat, that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
The kitchen will reopen on Saturday, October 7.
The Crown is still hiring for a housekeeper for 10-12h per week to "give little extra cafe rather than just come and mop the floor," Sandra said.
"Someone who notices the plants need watering and those little extra touches. Quite often in a commercial building those things are overlooked," she added.
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