Landlord tried to buy country pub three times - now he's in charge - Stoke-on-Trent Live

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A country pub has reopened after being closed for less than a week. The Castle Inn, on the Staffordshire-Cheshire border, opened six days after the previous owners called time.

The venue has had a turbulent 18 months with two sets of landlords attempting to revive the venue before announcing their departures. But the new licensees are confident they can make the pub a success.

Couple Paul and Helen Bona have taken over the Congleton venue having worked in the pub industry for decades.

Paul, aged 67, told StokeonTrent Live: "I have run pubs all over. We had The Olde King Arms in High Street, Congleton. We sold it three years ago. We were there for about six years. I have run pubs in the Congleton area for the last 40 years.

"I have offered to buy this pub on three occasions from the present owners over the years. It is owned by Punch Taverns. We have still not done a deal on it. We were put on alert that it was going to be empty. We got a call on the Monday and picked the keys up on the Wednesday.

"We have a good range of traditional ales including Timothy Taylor Landlord and Pedigree. We will have guest ales on each week as well.

"We will be selling food. The whole place had been emptied. We will be doing traditional pub meals at reasonable prices. It is not going to be a gastro pub. It will be home-cooked food.

"We will be a local pub for locals. I was approached when we opened and asked if we could put a darts board in and have a darts team. We are dog friendly and welcome hikers, bikers, walkers. We will have teas, coffees and sandwiches for the walkers and the passing trade.

"We have a lovely beer garden around the back. The locals are pleased to have a traditional pub back open."

Helen, 63, added: "We are delighted to be here and are looking forward to running the pub and meeting customers old and new and making new friends. Everybody is welcome. We look forward to serving up traditional pub food. It will be a cracking pub for all to enjoy."

Customers said they are delighted the pub has reopened.

Paul Findlow, aged 67, said: "This has been my local for more than 40 years. I live across the road and I am just glad it's open.

"I have seen a lot of different landlords. Not all could keep beer but I think this lad knows what he is doing. I had a pint of Pedigree and it was a well kept pint."

Sandy Muirhead, 83, of Congleton, added: "I am very pleased the pub has reopened. I had a pint of Sir Philip from Wincle. It is good beer. I was a regular down the Kings. When he took this place I realised it was going to be a good pub again. It is going to be a pub that does grub.

"A lot of pubs these days want to be restaurants. I want a pub where I can stand here, have a pint and talk to the landlord. I like the personal service I get from Paul and Helen."

The Castle Inn is open seven days a week from midday until closing and food will be served from 12noon to 8pm.