A village pub near Nantwich, saved from demolition by villagers 10 years ago, is to close for four days a week as part of a bid to “reinvent itself”.
The team who run The White Lion in Hankelow say they are evolving the way a local pub should be run.
It means it will be closed to the public from Monday to Thursday each week when it will be available instead for private hire and functions.
It will re-open Fridays to Sundays to public with the bar open from midday to 10pm, and shorter hours for food.
It comes as the hospitality sector faces one of its toughest periods in decades.
Operations director Sian Cramer said they were reshaping how the pub operates, focusing on events, partnerships and community experiences to help secure its future.
“The role of the traditional pub has changed,” said Sian.
“Growing up in pubs, I remember my parents simply opening the doors and people would come.
“Today, pubs need to offer more than that — experiences and a real reason for people to visit.”
The pub closed its doors in 2016 and looked set to be knocked down for housing.
But the local community stepped in to save it, ensuring the historic 200-year-old building remained a place where neighbours could gather for food, drink and celebrations.
The pub is now introducing revised opening hours and a programme of curated events following their new ethos – “opening with purpose”.
These include Friday pizza socials in collaboration with Dough House Pizza Trailer, themed Saturday feast nights and events, and relaxed Sunday brunch and lunch gatherings.
The venue is also expanding its private hire offering, hosting weddings as a newly licensed venue in Cheshire, milestone celebrations, community events and it’s popular Your Pub for The Night exclusive use package.
“As a community pub, bringing people together has always been what we do best,” said Sian.
“We’re simply finding new ways to keep that tradition alive.”
You can find out more by visiting the pub’s website at https://thewhitelionhankelow.co.uk/
Good luck to them, pubs need to adapt as fewer young uns are going pubs these days. Pubs near me survive by doing more community events during the daytime, sewing clubs etc it can be done but will take effort.
This is insane…we used to be regulars for meals at the White Lion on weekday evenings but they are hardly ever open when we want to dine out. At this time of year they should be opening up MORE not less. Also some of the young serving staff they have employed have not been properly trained which can be irritating though the food is always superb. This is becoming a venue that’s inaccessible and we have stopped going as a result. The writing is on the wall & to remain a viable country pub they need to change course urgently!