THE boss of a family-owned pub and brewery chain based in south Cumbria left devastated by the Covid-19 lockdown has vowed :”We will be back stronger and better than ever before.”

Kirsty and Scott Mackenzie, who together own and operate Lakeland Inns, have spent the last five weeks pushing ahead with a stunning pre-planned revamp of The Sun Inn, doing all the work themselves. They have also completed an ongoing refurbishment of the Commodore in Grange, inspired by designer Laura Ashley.

They have invested the time and effort because they want their Lakeland Inns pubs to be as vibrant as ever when they reopen.

Managing Director Kirsty, said: “The last few weeks have been heartbreaking. We were put in an impossible situation, which meant we had to furlough members of the team, and in the case of some colleagues we regrettably had to let them go.

“We have retained three team members who are now helping to operate our takeaway service which has been received amazingly well by the community .

“This is an incredibly difficult time and we are determined to emerge from this stronger than ever, offering jobs to as many people as possible.

“Of course we always view our position in the context of the wider impact the coronavirus has and continues to have on people’s health, on families who have lost loved ones and on our amazing front line workers, many of whom put their own lives at risk every day they report for duty.

“While our business means the world to us, it will never compare to the health, safety and wellbeing of friends, family and our wonderful community.”

Lakeland Inns’ four pubs - The Sun, Ulverston, the Commodore, Grange; The Black Cock. Broughton and The Royal Oak, Spark Bridge - suffered an immediate downturn in business when Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged - but did not instruct - people to stay away from busy places and social gatherings.

He later followed that up with an enforced lockdown of most businesses in the UK, instructing those able to work from home to do so.

Since then, a delivery service has been launched by The Sun from Fridays through to Sundays, with freshly-made food cooked in its kitchens being delivered to the doors of hungry diners from late afternoon to early evening.

On offer is everything from the pub’s famous burgers and ciabattas to Sunday Lunch and fish and chips - with beers, ales from the company’s brewery Stringers and ciders also on the menu.

They are also offering an essential groceries service for anybody who needs to top up but can’t or does not want to go to the their local shop or supermarket.

The service has been a huge success.

Kirsty said: “The support we have had from the local community has led to more than a few tears. This is such an emotional time and we are doing our best to support the staff we have retained and also to help our wonderful town and its residents at this very uncertain time.

“We can’t wait to reopen our doors, and welcome customers old and new into our pubs. The chatter of friends catching up, the thrill of a big match, couples out on date night, the smiles from our locals are so sorely missed right now.

“But when it is safe, our doors will be open once more”

Details of The Sun’s home delivery service, the menu and how to order, can be found on its Facebook page.