A re-opened pub in Barton has reported a solid start over its first two months of trading.

The George Inn opened its doors again in George Street on December 7, after it had been empty since February last year.

Landlady Sarah Woodhouse said she was pleased with the first eight weeks in the pub, which was given an extensive, six-figure refurbishment prior to opening and also includes eight letting rooms.

She said: “It was a bit of a rush to be open and ready for Christmas but we got there and we are now concentrating on the website, rooms, restaurant and getting all of that up and running.

“We have got a Valentine’s special on, which will help for February and we have got a few parties booked in where they have booked all of the rooms as well.

“It is ticking along nicely, slowly but surely.”

The pub’s licensees have spent the last month concentrating on securing more overnight bookings for the letting rooms.

Mrs Woodhouse said this had proved successful and helped boost trade.

She said: “It is going very well and we have had a lot of corporate customers coming in every week.

“A lot of people have not got much money at the moment but it is going ok.”

Drinker Alan Todd, 54, of Orchard Close, Barton, said he was a regular at the George and liked the new-look pub.

He said: “I am pleased to see it back open and I try to come in regularly.

“The character and the ambience are extremely good.”

“It is good to have an establishment like this in Barton.”

Martin Andrew, 63, of Ferriby Road, Barton, said he visited the pub three or four times per week.

He said: “It is clean and it has got to be an asset to the town.”

“I would not come into it before because it wasn’t very nice.

“It was the place to go when I was a kid and it seems to be getting back to that.

“There are a lot of people coming in here that you don’t see anywhere else.

“I would recommend it and if I am not in here, I am in the Wheatsheaf, which is run by the same people.”

The George Inn’s Valentine’s special includes a three-course meal and champagne and is priced at £19.99. For more information, contact the pub on 01652 636303.