An East Lancashire pub is delighted to be back open after staff shortages forced them to closed earlier this month.

The Stanhill Pub and Kitchen, in Oswaldtwistle, officially opened on 23 September – this time with a full team of staff members.

However, now the owner is worried that closing might have impacted his trade and wants to remind customers that he is now back open for good and ready to serve customers some top-quality food and drink.

Brain Healy, manager of the pub, made the decision to close at the start of September after losing four staff members in the space of three months.

Some of his kitchen staff initially gave a month’s notice but only completed two of these weeks after a rival business asked them to leave early.

As a result, he decided to shut temporarily for the good of the business.

He has employed three new chefs and re-employed one chef who decided to return to the business.  

Brian said: “I’ve got a full team of four chefs in the kitchen. For me to put the team together in the space of four weeks is pretty amazing really.”

Brian, who has a background as a chef, said he has been mentoring the new recruits and “setting the standards” for them.

He added: “I lost my chefs and I closed for two weeks for the good of the business and the staff.

“It was a personal choice and I could have stayed open – but if I’d have tried to reopen on my own then it would have impacted the customer’s experience.”

However, 51-year-old Brian, who has been in charge of the pub for almost four years, said the pub bookings “aren’t at quite the same level” as before he closed.

He explained: “I know we’ve only been open a week – but last week trade was down 40 per cent so we want more people to know that we are actually open.

“Someone asked me if they thought closing would impact me – and I honestly said no because I have a loyal clientele

“But what I think is affecting me is people not knowing I have reopened.”

The two week closure isn’t the only thing impacting his numbers and he highlighted an industry-wide issue.

Brian thinks some customers have “gotten used to drinking at home” and wants to remind them of the “ambience, comradery social aspect” which comes from drinking in a pub.

Mr Healy said there are plenty of events and special deals for customers to look forward to at the pub, which is open Wednesday to Sunday.

He explained: “We’re more food operated than a drinking pub. We have different deals on throughout the week.”

Here are some of the deals currently operating at the pub:

Wednesdays – Burger Day

Get two burgers for £15

Choose two burgers from beef, chicken, fish or a veg.

Thursday – Pie Day

Pies are £10 each. Choose from five pies and sides.

Friday – Fish and Chips for two

Two small for £12. Two large for £20.

You can find out more about what the pub has to offer by visiting its website. 

Social, newsletters, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Lancashire Telegraph on social media, by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Lancashire Family page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Lancashire Telegraph website with a premium digital subscription - we are running a £2 for two months special offer

Or if you want the Telegraph newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact our newsdesk at lancsnews@nqnw.co.uk or by using our online contribution form