Landlord Grant Madden is bucking the national trend and has just opened his second pub in Rossendale.

He has a wealth of experience having spent eight years working in Spanish bars where he finished up as part-owner of a tapas bar in Torrevieja.

Two years ago, he took over The Masons Arms in Crawshawbooth and, when he spotted the lease was available on The Masons Arms in Waterfoot, he decided to expand the empire.

Grant said: “My dad questioned why I was looking to open another pub when all over the north west they were being closed, but I am a strong believer in community spirit and the pub is traditionally the heart of the community.

“Since I opened last month in Waterfoot, I have been behind the bar whenever we are open with a few part-time staff helping out, mainly at the weekend when needed.

“I have been asking everyone who comes in what they want in the pub and how it needs to develop. I want to create a pub people want to come into.”

He has responded to feedback and now has two hand pumped cask ales which change weekly, a pool team and darts team will be formed soon and free pool is available on Wednesdays.

Grant is originally from Barking and went to Spain as his grandmother had retired there.

Having met someone from Rossendale, he decided to return to England in 2005. Initially he worked in IT, but the pull of the hospitality business was too strong and he found himself drawn back to management of various restaurants and pubs mostly in Rossendale including Nino’s, The Tiger Lounge and The Firepit.

He is now licensee of two pubs that had been closed, prior to his intervention. In Crawshawbooth, The Masons had been closed for four months, in Waterfoot the pub had been closed for four years.

He said: “When I walked into the Waterfoot pub what struck me was the stage and the large open space and I could see people sitting enjoying a drink and listening to great entertainment.

“When I reopened Crawshawbooth, I had the Lomax Brothers playing and in Waterfoot Simon Sackey a guitarist and vocalist entertained.

“It was a really good night; people were so excited to see the pub coming back to life.”

In Crawshawbooth, there is a walking group and they meet at The Masons and walk to The Masons in Waterfoot. Grant is hoping a similar walking group may want to set up in Waterfoot.

Downstairs there is a restaurant, but Grant is not looking to reopen the area until he gets the pub firmly reestablished and knows what his customers want.

He will also be looking to support local charities having held fundraising events at Ninos for Rossendale Hospice.

The pub is currently open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4pm and Friday to Sunday from 12 noon.

For more information visit The Masons Arms Waterfoot Facebook page.