Pubs in Cheshire: Venue reopens after nearly five years

A ‘COMMUNITY-spirited’ pub in Cheshire that has served generations of families has reopened after almost five years.

New landlords James Kenny and Rebecca Giblin are hoping to breathe a new lease of life into The Sloop Inn.

Ahead of its opening on New Year’s Eve, the Sankey Bridges venue received a new lick of paint and a deep clean.

Pictures: Dave Gillespie

But it is still recognisable to locals and former regulars who ‘grew up’ in the pub and spent plenty of time in there over the years.

And their fondness of the pub is evident by their offers to help decorate the site and restore the overgrown beer garden.

James, 32, and Rebecca, 28, have worked in hospitality for a number of years and are already loving their time at the pub and have described their new job as ‘rewarding’.

Pictures: Dave Gillespie

James said: “Getting to chat with all different people and having banter with them is what makes the job so rewarding.

“Hearing all of the local’s stories as well is just so interesting.”

Landlords James Kenny and Rebecca Giblin

They also said how they’ve been thanked by Sankey Bridges residents for bringing the pub back – and one person even cried during their visit to The Sloop Inn due to fond memories of family visits there.

A number of pool and darts teams are already in place and they will be using the pub as their hub.

And James and Rebecca, who have one child, have plans to bring back quiz nights and karaoke nights and are aiming to restore the beer garden before the summer months.