A POPULAR Flintshire pub has finally reopened its doors after an eight-month refurbishment - and it looks incredible!
The Cross Keys in Llanfynydd, opened its doors on Wednesday evening (December 13) in memory of former patron, Mark Steene.
In 2015, Mark had a cycling accident which left him paralysed. Sadly, he passed away six years later aged just 54.
A keen cyclist and businessman, he would spend many a happy time at The Cross Keys with friends, creating memories and sharing good times.
Mark's sister Mandy said: "Mark made me his beneficiary and I pondered how to best deal with that inheritance. My heart wanted him, not his money.
"After a long time just sleeping on it, my head decided I wanted to do something lovely for him and his special place, Llanfynydd.
"So, we collaborated with Mark's close friends Andrew and Gwenan Roberts and came up with a dream plan to buy the village pub together and do our best to bring life and lustre back into the charming building for all of Mark's community and friends to enjoy."
As well as a complete transformation which proudly incorporates the pub's history, the building has received an extension which creates a cosy and wholesome restaurant side.
The pub features a private dining space which is available to book, named the 'naughty corner' for Christmas, as well as wooden boards with the names of the chairmen of Lloyd’s of London Insurance House.
When the doors opened at 5pm on Wednesday, customers filled the bar eager to 'have a look around following all the hard work that has been going over over the last few months.
Some "didn't even recognise the place" after the transformation and said it felt "very homely".
One delighted customer, Nina Stanton, said "The pub is amazing, staff, food and ambience is perfect" while Diane Williams agreed and said: "What a truly lovely meal and atmosphere tonight."
Another customer, Elaine Scragg, said: "I can't wait for Friday nights and to have such a beautiful pub to call our local again."
The pub also serves delicious homemade food; from nibbles and bar bites to comforting classic dishes, there's something for everyone on a cold winter night. See the full menu here.
Landlord Patryk Kapelinski is thrilled with the pub's progress and can't wait to welcome local residents inside for a pint or two.
He said: "We're very excited about the reopening and bringing the community back together to enjoy themselves.
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"I've worked in some very different environments but I always get drawn back to pubs. It's so much fun and every day has new challenges in the most positive way."
Announcing the pub's opening on Facebook, he said: "We did it!
"It’s been an amazing, fulfilling, emotional adventure getting to this point and we’re all a little bit in love with our cosy pub and cannot wait to welcome you through our doors.
"Bookings have been flying in, so please head here cross-keys.co.uk/make-a-booking/ if you’d like to book a table - we’ll also leave some tables free in our bar areas (on a first come, first served basis), if you just want to head down.
"Please see our website for our menus, opening times and lots more information or give us a call at the pub on 01978 760333.
"We look forward to being able to share in the good times together again. See you at the bar, very soon."
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