Burnley landlady thanks public after 'tiring, trying but very successful' first week back

Alison Leigh, who runs the Crooked Billet in Worsthorne, served her first pint in six months last Monday, and hasn't stopped since.

The Crooked Billet, like all pubs in the area, was forced to close its doors in October.

With restaurants and pubs now able to serve customers outdoors – and an indoor re-opening date of May 17th still on track – Alison is hoping for brighter days ahead.

"After a very successful, tiring and trying week, we survived," she said. "It has been tough. The phone is non-stop for table bookings, which isn't a bad thing. We need extra staff for the table service which eats into profits. We're continually asking people to be seated, a task in itself.

"We're wearing masks for 12 hours, and hearing of others not towing the line which we hope doesn't spoil it for the rest of us.

"There's so many positives though. We are open at last, and so happy to be serving our community again.

"Our pub plays a huge role in the lives of the local people in the village of Worsthorne, people who haven't seen others for months, whose daily routine includes passing by the pub for a drink to socialise with others.

"The weather has been very kind to us and if it was raining could have been a totally different scenario. We are lucky to have a reasonably large covered garden area and feel for fellow publicans who don't have this facility to offer.

"I would like to thank all the customers who have popped in to see us, and all my staff for the hard work they have put in. We're looking forward to seeing everybody over the summer."