Carnforth’s The Canal Turn, located on Lancaster Road, has been using its spacious beer garden to bring customers back after the latest national lockdown.

Owned and operated by Bill Johnston since 2018, the pub has been praised for its customer service and atmosphere.

Bill said: “Everyone knows that hospitality has been hit hardest in the last year and we are so pleased to be open again, albeit with outside-only and other restrictions in place.

“We won’t make much money at all but it’s great to be back open welcoming people back again.

“We are lucky to have a huge amount of outside space, but everything is so reliant on the weather and we staff things accordingly.

“It’s lovely to see so many of our regulars returning to their community local, as well as new faces.

“If all goes to plan with the Government’s ‘roadmap’, then May 17 will be an important date for us.

“This is when we can welcome back diners, inside and out, and we’d love to bring back things such as our weekly quiz night and rock-and-roll bingo.

“Our amazing live music schedule will return when all restrictions have been lifted.

“As usual, our staff have been magnificent and we haven’t lost a single person during their furlough period.

“They have all been trained on Covid-19 safety procedures and have completed a Covid-safe course.

“We also have workplace testing in place to help ensure we keep everyone as safe as possible.

“Prior to taking the lease of the pub three years ago this month, I worked in commercial radio for 25 years – 15 of which were spent as MD of The Bay Radio before my radio career came to an end following an unfortunate takeover.”

During lockdown, The Canal Turn found itself in the news after it got a surprise visitor in the form of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who dropped by to ask for a San Miguel glass.

Bill said at the time: “I was on my laptop and heard a knock at the door and was stunned to see the world champion outside.”

Like many public houses and hospitality businesses, lockdown has presented many challenges for The Canal Turn, but with further restrictions easing next month the staff are hopeful that business will return to how it was before the national lockdown.