A VENUE is gearing up to celebrate its first birthday in style.

On December 1 the team at the The Fleece at Ruleholme will be celebrating 365 days of trading during their first year.

A spokesman said: "We are celebrating our 1st birthday, and what an amazing first year we have had!

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported us through the year, our customers, our suppliers and of course our amazing team!

"With the challenges of Covid and Brexit behind us we are now looking forward to 2023, but before this we have a very busy festive programme ahead of us. Almost all of our party night events are booked but there are still a few places left – please do call us for availability.

"Our forward reservations for 2023 include multiple weddings and events in the planning, many coming from far afield!

"We shouldn’t forget our sister business, The Queen Inn at Great Corby. The team are preparing for Christmas and have a great festive menu on offer throughout December."

The special annversary comes as many pubs and venues on the high street have been forced to closed following the aftermath of Covid and the increase in the cost of living.

A spokesman from The Fleece at Ruleholme said: "Hospitality nowadays is a challenging business and since opening a year ago, like many other hospitality companies, we have had to adapt with some of the team now focusing slightly differently from when we started.

"Rob Cowan’s immediate focus is on the Queen Inn while Scott Nicholson has taken up the challenge of Sales and Marketing for the group.

"Scott MacGregor has stepped up from Events Manager to General Manager of the Fleece and is supported by Head Chef, Ben Parker and his kitchen team. Front of house is ably led by Ashley, Leslie and the two Gills with Housekeeping led by Jean Nicholson and her team.

"We have a number of projects coming up next year which are currently in planning stage – starting with our annual maintenance week in the second week of January; the introduction of Bridge Restaurant – expect mid-February, with an exciting menu that Ben is creating – Our Fleece Book Club with a range of authors dropping in through the year, and we are currently in discussion with Cumbria County Council to adopt the Old Ruleholme bridge and the section of the U1301 that runs past the Fleece so that it can open to our guests, the walking public and of course our newly-wed couples for fabulous pictures.

"It is early days in our discussions but everyone is hopeful it will go ahead."

To mark The Fleece's birthday celebrations, bosses are giving out a 10 per cent offer coupon – just cut out and present to staff when you make your next meal or room reservation. It is valid during January and February 2023 (please check terms and conditions before use).