Cumbrian village pub The Stag Inn re-opened by new owners

The Stag Inn in Crosby-on-Eden was re-opened by new owners Dan and Sarah Grigg on Wednesday, October 2 after it closed in March 2023.

Dan, a former head and executive chef, and Sarah, a former London pub owner, took over at The Stag Inn in June 2024 and had been completing a refurbishment of the pub before it re-opened. 

(Image: Supplied) Now the pair are looking forward to welcoming more and more regulars back to the pub which will be open between Wednesday and Sunday, with plans to introduce a new food menu in the coming weeks. 

"The work on the job took a little bit longer than we thought just because being an old building it threw up a few challenges along the way," Sarah said.

"A four to six week refurbishment went into a 12 to 14 week one but we are so excited to finally be open.

"We have been sanding, painting, taking things out since we took it over.

"We could see from the moment we walked in what a lovely and beautiful pub it could be but it was still very much an old-fashioned sort of boozer, quite dark and I think it would have worked in the 80s.

"It just needed the heart and soul putting back into it which is what we wanted to do and accentuate all of the lovely bits."

Sarah also discussed how the pair have been 'blown away' by the reaction and support from the Crosby community after taking over and re-opening the pub.

(Image: Supplied) She said: "The pub has got such great potential. The food offering [is what] we're hoping to get sorted next and we have still got a few bits to sort with the kitchen, but Dan is hoping to have a Sunday lunch out in the next four to six weeks and we will go from there.

"After that, the opening hours may change to reflect that offer but we have been blown away by the support from the community during the refurbishment and now that we have re-opened.

"We are flabbergasted and it has been lovely to meet all the locals and regulars who maybe have not been in for a while."