An iconic town centre pub which closed in March after the landlords were unable to keep up with spiralling costs is to re-open under new management.

The Cross Axes, on Church Street in Great Harwood, shut on Sunday March 26.

The couple in charge at the time, John Mainland and Toni Ennew, who had been at the helm for 18 years, said there were several reasons for their departure including the cost of living crisis and family obligations.

John said rising energy bills were a key factor in their decision to leave the Stonegate pub, with utilities increasing by 400 per cent.

He said: “At the moment the cost of living crisis has been hard. The cost of utilities has gone from £600 to £3,000 a month. Other bills are going up too.

“The takings just don’t cover the costs anymore because everyone is struggling.”

John said the business had survived the pandemic, recessions and more in the last 18 years but said the cost of living crisis had proven too much to deal with.

Following only a short closure of four months, the pub, which is believed to be one of the oldest in Great Harwood, is being taken over by mum-of-two Kelly Dugdale.

Experienced bar manager Kelly is originally from Nelson but has lived in Great Harwood for the last 18 years, and is keen to make the Cross Axes a hub of fun and life for all who attend.

Kelly said: “It’s one of the longest standing pubs in the town and by re-opening we’re keen to light up Great Harwood once again.

“We’re hoping to open on August 11, for the Burnley v Man City game, and going forward the pub will be offering Sky Sports and BT Sports (now TNT), live music nights, DJ nights, karaoke, an outside courtyard to the rear, bar snacks, and much more.

“The town was hit hard during Covid, and rising living and business costs didn’t help either, but this brilliant pub needs to re-open to help light up and liven up the town once more.

“It will be an honour to follow in the footsteps of previous landlords, Toni and John, and before them, Mervyn and Carol Aspin, and I hope that people will give us a chance to show the town that we’re here to stay.”

The pub has had a full downstairs refurb as well as an external lick of paint, and Kelly is now in the process of updating the Cross Axes Facebook page, with further details to follow via social media.

The Cross Axes is one of many drinking establishments in Great Harwood, with others including Mellows bar, Tipsy Cows, 1B Tap, The Juniper (TJs), The Tavern, The Walmesley Arms, The Dog and Otter and The Chantry.