WHEN Adam Hulme became the first manager of The Bridgewater pub in Darwen town centre, he only expected to stay for 18 months.

But more than eight years later, he has finally waved goodbye to the pub and town that he fell in love with.

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And at a specially-arranged buffet lunch on Friday, new manager Gary Smith was introduced to regulars and local dignitaries ahead of taking charge on December 8.

Mr Hulme said: “I thought after a few months me and the town were not going to get on.

“But I just fell in love with the place.

“What it is about Darwen is the sense of community and people coming together, but they want to involve local businesses.

“They welcomed us in with wide open arms and what we put in we get back from them.”

Since taking over the Church Street pub, Mr Hulme has been heavily involved with the community and with events in the town, such as the beer festival, Darwen Live and this year’s inaugural food festival.

He said: “The things we have done over the past nine years are incredible.

“And I have told Gary how important the pub is to the community and he knows it well because we have been friends for years now.”

Mr Smith, a Blackburn Rovers supporter who lives in Chorley, had been running the Dragonfly pub in Bolton for the past 18 months.

He said: “Coming here brings me a bit closer to home and it is a step up for me as well.

“I have known the pub a long time and it is a good community pub. I just cannot wait to get started now. I just want to get my feet under the table and kick on.

“It is a busy pub that is doing well so I do not want to make any big changes.

“I just want to carry on with what they have been doing already here.”

Mr Smith said he was looking forward to continuing working with the town council and the community.

He said: “Part of the interest for me was the focus on working with the community and I want to do my bit to help with that.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said: “I am very sorry that Adam is leaving. He has been a tremendous asset to the community.” and he has done so much on behalf of the community and on behalf of the town.

“It is sad but hopefully the new man will carry on in a similar vein.”