As the region's pubs and bars continue to adjust to a new way of doing things - with covid guidelines in place of course - the Leader has launched a Pub of the Week feature, where landlords and landladies from across Wrexham and Flintshire have the chance to showcase their establishment.

Now more than ever, it's vital to support our local businesses.

If you want your pub to be featured, simply fill in our online form or if you would like to nominate a pub, email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk.

Let's step inside this week's local…

Emotions are high as I ask landlord of The Greyhound Inn, in Wrexham, Darren Nixon, how things have been since returning to business post-lockdown.

He said: "It's been very heart-warming, and we've had some really good days. We've got a lot of loyal customers."

And it's this sense of community and belonging that is at the heart of life at the pub, which Darren has run for almost three years with wife Beverley, and not forgetting dog Mickey.

We speak to Darren, who grew up in Manchester, to find out more.

Most memorable moment/s at the pub? "We've had many special moments. Luke Gallagher played on the roof to celebrate Beatles Day. We had 'Tom Jones' from Stars In Their Eyes perform at our outdoor festival last August. It's a great pub with fantastic friends and customers, I'm proud to run it."

As the inevitable ghost question comes up (is it really a pub without one?) Darren goes on to mention they are soon to be featured on Matt Paranormal on Amazon Prime in October.

And with quite the spooky collection – 'the adult', two children and a dog - there is certainly plenty of scope for lots of Halloween action.

Challenges faced in the industry? The Greyhound is currently tied in with a brewery but they are set to be free of this in a matter of months.

It was the brewery tie-in that was initially their biggest lockdown problem, as they were expected to continue paying full rent.

"At first it was a bit scary," said Darren. " We joined a pub forum with others from across the UK. We all came together to share and support.

"And we managed to get the brewery to back down, otherwise we wouldn't still be here."

Once free of the tie-in, Darren is looking forward to specialising in ales.

Do you embrace being part of the community? "Definitely. A group of customers and myself recently helped out a neighbour/customer who was having a very bad time, but he's getting back on track."

In fact, on asking what's the best thing about running the pub, Darren adds: "Seeing the customers enjoying themselves and when we hear things said about how they love the place, it brings a tear to the eye."

The pub also has a pool team, and they're looking to start the football team up again.

And there's the Inlove music festival, although this year's turn of events altered plans for that.

I find out if they do food, and in what must be a real crowd pleaser, The Greyhound Inn has a pizza oven, whipping up their own slices of deliciousness.

But then Darren rather modestly mentions something that has me berating him for not mentioning it sooner!

"We've a lounge that we've turned into a tea room, decorated like Alice In Wonderland. It's like something out of Disney," he says casually, as if this is an every day occurrence in a pub.

The Trap 6 Tea Room has a real Secret Garden vibe, and is definitely something different, and hopefully not a secret for long.

Having used lockdown to work on the outside of the pub - including a newly decorated beer garden - with the inside having been done not long ago, The Greyhound Inn is raring to go, and I'm sure it's a safe bet you'll get a warm welcome.

• The Greyhound Inn

Holt Road

Wrexham LL13 9EB

Opening hours: Weekdays 4pm-midnight, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 2pm- late