A village pub which reopened last autumn but closed just seven months later is set to welcome punters again as a pair of new tenants have taken it on. 

The Lion in Stoke by Clare, owned by Admiral Taverns, closed on May 18 as the former landlady, who took it on in September 2023, decided to leave. 

Now, just a few months after its closure, business partners Carmen Eastwell, who formerly managed The Crown at Linton, and Sarah Giles, who used to run The George in Cavendish with her mother, are set to reopen the pub following a revamp. 

Sarah and Carmen, who are taking on the pubSarah Giles and Carmen Eastwell, who are taking on the pub (Image: Carmen Eastwell)

Having taken The Lion on in July, Ms Eastwell said: "We have completely changed the inside of the pub because it wasn't to our taste.

"We have changed the colour scheme and done it all from fresh really, and we are excited for people to see it."

Inside the pub following renovationsInside the pub following renovations (Image: Carmen Eastwell)

Ms Eastwell explained food will not be offered for the first few months but they will bring in new draft beers, have a focus on local cask beers, and plan to introduce their own cocktail menu as well as jugs of Pimms. 

"We do have a date that we have set for opening, and that is August 23," said Ms Eastwell. 

"We've got a band and a food truck to celebrate." 

She added: "We want to be a community pub and we are very friendly. We are family run as well, it is all friends and family at the moment.

Carmen and Sarah with family membersCarmen and Sarah with family members (Image: Carmen Eastwell)

"We want to bring live music and we've also included a pool table. We've opened up a room in the pub that wasn't open before for it." 

Ms Eastwell said so far the response from the villagers has been "really, really positive" with many popping in to offer their help.

The Lion at Stoke by Clare will open again officially on Friday, August 23.