THE NEW landlord of a village pub has revealed exactly when doors will re-open. 

Earlier this month, the Leader reported that The Cross Keys, in Llanfynydd, is set to reopen in memory of former patron, Mark Steene. The 54-year-old sadly died in 2021, six years after a cycling accident left him paralysed.

In his memory, his sister Mandy, and his close friends Gwenan and Andy Roberts purchased the pub, which will be run by recently appointed landlord Patryk Kapelinski, and a wider team.

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.  

"I feel I can put Mark to rest peacefully now this is becoming a reality. It's all been made possible by the best team of people I could ever imagine."

Initially, it was announced the pub would re-open in 'mid-December', but this weekend the team confirmed exactly when their doors will open. 

A post on Facebook announced that doors will open at 5.30pm on Wednesday, December 13. 

The Cross Keys statement on Facebook said: "Firstly, a big ‘hello’ from the team at the pub.

"We’ve been beavering away, pushing hard on all fronts to try to get the pub open before the end of the year and we’re going to do it! We are delighted to let you know, that by hook or by crook, we will be opening our doors on Wednesday, December 13. 

"The builders at MPH Construction have done a truly amazing job and are nearly ready to pack up their tools and hand over for us to bring it back to life and get our doors open.

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"Our focus over the coming weeks is to put the finishing touches to the pub as the furniture arrives and we add all those special ‘little details’. Wiktor and Tom, our senior chefs have been perfecting the menu (we will upload it to the website soon) and then we’re into food tastings, wine tastings, gin, lager, cask ales, cocktails, (it's a hard life but someone has to do it!), along with training all our new team.

"The pub will have a cosy, festive feel, with roaring fires, mulled wine and a warm welcome. Our opening menu will have sprinkles of Christmas, with turkey and the trimming and other festive dishes, but we’re not planning on having a set menu.

"We’re all a little bit in love with the pub and just hope you feel the same when we open our doors. We cannot wait to welcome you.

"See you at the bar very soon,

"Patryk and the team at The Cross Keys."