Address: Whitebirk Road, Blackburn.

Phone number: 01254 268250

Review by Jemma Humphreys in the Lancashire Telegraph on September 12, 2009.

WHAT a refreshing change to find a pub where every member of staff smiles.

We had heard the Red Lion was a little quiet these days due to its location, slightly out of town, and on a roundabout, but it’s seems the opposite is true as we joined an army of regulars enjoying its particularly cheery charms.

We were served quickly despite the lunchtime rush and chose a table in the beer garden. When our food arrived, after a little wait, we were told that you get your cutlery from the bar, but the friendly waitress was more than obliging to get it for us.

I chose a Moroccan chicken wrap with spicy tomato sauce, which was a bit short on the sauce front and little dry, although tasty all the same. My companions had a duck and hoisin sauce hot wrap which was enjoyed; and a jacket potato with mature cheddar, bacon, and spring onion, which was the most tempting to look at. They all came in around the £7 mark, including a drink.

And if we needed any more convincing that the Red Lion prided itself on its service, the staff were more than willing to get involved with a birthday we were celebrating, presenting the cake we had taken with us, even adding their own sparklers.

Lancashire Telegraph review by John Anson from July 22, 2008.

THE Red Lion has everything you would want from a traditional pub serving hearty food.

An added bonus is the warm welcome you receive when you step through the door. How refreshing to be greeted with a smile from behind the bar — other establishments please take note.

The Red Lion has been cleverly divided into a series of rooms and areas creating a cosy atmosphere.

With its flag floor and comfy sofas you can see people enjoying a pint after work.

There is a restaurant area but food is served anywhere in the pub. You can select from a bar menu, a restaurant menu and also daily specials.

The dishes tend to be the classical pub ones as befits the premises.

I opted for the gammon and egg for £6.95 while the better half went for ribeye steak from the restaurant menu for £11.25.

The gammon and egg was just what you’d want — a thick gammon steak topped by a fried egg. It came with hand cut chips which you could either eat or play a game of Jenga with.

The steak too came with these hearty chips, tomato and onion rings and although it looked a bit ‘scruffy’ as they say on Masterchef, it was mighty tasty.

At the end of the motorway you’d expect the Red Lion to be busier than it was when we visited during the week.

Major roadworks which currently block your way to the car park in one direction certainly won’t be helping matters and it may be that the credit crunch has now started to bite.

But it’s a shame that more people aren’t sampling what’s on offer just off the M65.

As well as the food and the welcome you get, an added bonus is being able to look out over East Lancashire’s latest example of public art which dominates the roundabout.

The verdict

Friendly staff and pleasant surroundings are a bonus.

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