A HISTORIC pub in Yorkshire has fully re-opened two years after closing its doors despite the owner previously saying it would have 'more value' as a residence.
The Punch Bowl, in Low Bentham, was the subject of a four-year-long feud between tenants Douglas and Shanti Traynor, and owner Mark Dew.
However the watering hole has been back in business since new landlady Helen Campbell took over the pumps and opened its doors in July.
Helen, 52, is from Lancaster and runs the pub with her two sons. "With what everybody was saying, everybody said don't take it on," she said.
"It's a lovely area. I'm really excited about it," she added. Helen wanted to make it a family establishment, offering traditional pub grub and having the play area on offer. This is the first time Helen has ever taken on a pub, and she moved into the community with a seven year lease.
About the community, she said: "They say they want to support me because they want it to stay a village pub. They have seen all the hard work I have put into it, they've all helped in some way or another."
READ MORE: Punch Bowl pub Bentham might see a change of use
When she took on the pub she said it looked like it had been unused 'for a very long time' and she had to put in work to get the interior ready for business.
The Punch Bowl has also already held some events, with Lancashire-based duo Gamble and Gun playing to pubgoers on August 7.
It is open from 11am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday, 11am to 1am Friday and Sunday, and serving food from Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 8pm.
The pub, on Eskew Lane, was served a closure order by Craven District Council in August 2022 for selling alcohol without a licence.
In November last year, Douglas Traynor and all other occupants were served an eviction notice by Lancaster County Court.
Mr Traynor claimed that he and his wife had been subject to 'an online witch hunt.'
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