'The Red Lion' may be situated in the kind of quaint little street one could easily miss seeing, but the news of its revitalised spirit since reopening last year under new ownership, has ensured a healthy clientele have been frequenting the pub ever since.

The new manager and licensee, Steve Andrews, was offered the chance to run The Red Lion by owner Jamie Brown, who brought it into his 'Spooky Pub' company project, which plans to open a chain of 50 pubs in the county within the next five years.

Steve has lived in Liskeard for 11 years and was once bar manager of the Copley Arms in Hessenford before taking an 11 year sabbatical with Trago Mills.

Given the opportunity to run a pub once again, he jumped at the chance.

He said: "I was working in The Red Lion part time when I was made an offer to run the pub. I didn't take a great deal of persuading as this is the business I've always felt at home in. Frankly, I love running pubs and this is a great one to be involved in."

Since reopening, The Red Lion has enjoyed good support from local people of all ages, being the only free house in town and with extremely tempting prices.

Steve has been keen to employ a 'back to basics' approach, gearing the pub towards the social atmosphere rather than sports activities or theme nights.

He said: "More often than not, people want to come to a pub where they can have a good conversation and a real laugh together. I often think that if you've got games of pool or darts going on as well, or massive TV screens, it ruins that atmosphere. So, at The Red Lion, we try to encourage the traditional pub atmosphere, where people can meet and drink together quite happily."

Popular

This approach has certainly been popular, with Saturday nights being extremely busy for Steve and his staff of four.

"We had to turn the pub's previously poor reputation around," continued Steve "and if the numbers on a Saturday are anything to go by, we've really succeeded."

The all new Red Lion has set itself a new standard of excellence. The refurbishment has involved an almost cafe/bistro style front with large window and a variety of indoor plants, while more traditional pub decor features towards the rear, with a well stocked bar and a lounge area including comfortable chesterfields.

With the cheap prices helping to draw new customers to The Red Lion, the good news for all is that these could decrease further as the 'Spooky Pub' company buy more pubs and gain more spending capital to do so.

Susie Hancock, Lisa Humphries and Andrea Stephens were enjoying a drink together when The Cornish Times visited the new Red Lion and were very complimentary about the changes.

Said Lisa: "I've been drinking here for a long time but it has hit something of a peak. It's extremely friendly and has a proper pub atmosphere."

Susie agreed: "It was nice to see the place re-open and all the changes have improved it no end."

Andrea echoed the sentiments of Steve Andrews when she said: "It's great that you can go into a pub and not fall over a pool table."

"It's like pubs used to be," said Lisa. "It's the only place I'll drink in."

Plans to extend the bar and introduce simple pub meals a currently on Steve's agenda, although he is keen not to do anything that might upset the atmosphere he and his staff have helped to create since The Red Lion re-opened.

He said: "We are getting so busy that are bar extension is essential so we can serve people more quickly. Some meals and small television sets for Euro 2000 are also under consideration but everything we introduce will be closely monitored so we don't spoil the good mood we've managed to get so far."

Friendly

Mark Hutton, who settled in Liskeard a month ago after living everywhere from Launceston to Berlin and back again, said he now makes this pub his first port-of-call: "I really like it and on a day like this with the sun pouring through the big window at the front, it's very relaxing. Very friendly."

Friends Alysia Gimblett and Lizzy Davey agreed that much of the recent success of the pub was down to Steve. Said Alysia, "He is an excellent landlord because he shows a genuine interest in people who come in. He'll sit and talk with you or ask how you are and it makes all the difference."

Lizzy agreed: "It's Steve's manner and the cheap drinks that do it for me - a good combination really."

These sentiments were also echoed by two more regulars who praised the value of the drinks and the friendly atmosphere before quickly taking fresh beverages from bar maid, Joan Allen.

Joan has been working in The Red Lion since before Christmas. She said: "I was just a customer until Steve asked me if I'd like to help out one day. Before I knew it I was working here permanently!"

Thankfully, Joan's previous bar work experience helped out considerably.

"I'm very happy here and that includes being a customer as well. I'm in no real hurry to move on because of the friendliness of the staff and the customers."

The Red Lion has become the Dr Who of pubs, regenerating into a completely new and fresh version while retaining those special qualities from traditional style pubs. Under its current ownership and manager, it looks set to become not only a popular but reputable place to boot.