A MUCH loved pub has announced plans to recruit new staff and reopen after having to close during the most recent lockdown.

Customers will be welcomed back to The Forest, in Fence, on Monday May 17, while the venue is also looking for new team members across a number of different positions ranging from chefs and front of house staff, to apprentices and management positions.

The pub has posted a video on Facebook to help raise interest amongst potential new team members and is preparing for a recruitment day on site this Saturday from 2pm to 6pm.

Assistant manager Emma Jehan said: "It's a lovely site and it's really exciting to be back.

"We're building the team again and we're looking for all levels of staff from front of house to sous chefs and we also have rooms so we'll be looking for house-keeping."

Recruitment will remain ongoing until positions are filled, with Ms Jehan saying that anyone interested can come down to the recruitment day on Saturday or, if they cannot make it, enquire through the pub's Facebook page.

The Forest, part of the Oakman Group which bought up venues from the collapsed Seafood Pub Company, says that it offers a Mediterranean inspired menu and contemporary setting, with spectacular Lancashire countryside all around.

The venue's beer garden means that it is well equipped to welcome back visitors outside as well as inside while also allowing them to keep to social distancing regulations.

Ms Jehan said: "We've got a great, great area outside the pub.

"I was sat there doing some work in the sun on Saturday and it was just beautiful."