Derbyshire pub welcomes back customers with Christmas decorations, turkey and crackers - after lockdown saw December reservations cancelled

A Derbyshire pub has welcomed back customers with festive decorations, turkey and crackers - after lockdown saw December reservations cancelled.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Hanging Gate pub, in Chapel-en-le-Frith was forced to close its doors last Noel due to lockdown.

Owner Mark Thomas, 47, promised disappointed customers the decorations would still be up when they reopened.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And full five months after Christmas, the pub finally re-opened its doors on Monday.

Joanne Stone, 50, Ivy Dakin 5 and Mia Dakin 7, Sarah Dakin 25, of Glossop, pull crackers.Joanne Stone, 50, Ivy Dakin 5 and Mia Dakin 7, Sarah Dakin 25, of Glossop, pull crackers.
Joanne Stone, 50, Ivy Dakin 5 and Mia Dakin 7, Sarah Dakin 25, of Glossop, pull crackers.

Excited Christmas-lovers flocked to enjoy festive decorations, turkey, music and crackers.

These pictures show families and friends seemingly unbothered by the fact it's May as they enjoyed the Christmas festivities inside the pub that was adorned with more than 30,000 twinkling lights.

Dad-of-three Mark, who has owned the pub for around 30 years, said the pub was flooded with booking requests over its first few weeks back in business and it was "fantastic" to see the doors open again.

Landlor Mark Thomas, 47, Landlord at The Hanging Gate pubLandlor Mark Thomas, 47, Landlord at The Hanging Gate pub
Landlor Mark Thomas, 47, Landlord at The Hanging Gate pub
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is planning to keep the decorations up until at least JULY to give everyone their Christmas fix after a successful first few days back and with the weekend set to get even busier.

Mark said: "People were devastated when we had to shut just before Christmas - but we promised they wouldn't miss out the festivities.

"I didn't envisage us celebrating Christmas in May - but after the year we've had, people should just enjoy doing what makes them happy.

"People weren't bothered by the time of year at all - they got in the festive spirit pulling crackers, eating turkey and enjoying our decorations.

The Hanging Gate pub Derbyshire celebrate a late Christmas after it left its decorations up since last November 2020.The Hanging Gate pub Derbyshire celebrate a late Christmas after it left its decorations up since last November 2020.
The Hanging Gate pub Derbyshire celebrate a late Christmas after it left its decorations up since last November 2020.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It was great to welcome people back and feel the buzz of a full pub again.

"I got great feedback from people saying it was great to be able to celebrate Christmas with their family properly after so many missed out in December.

"We don't have a cut-off point for taking down the decorations - at the moment we think the start of July, but we'll keep them up as long as people want them!

"Christmas in May is not everyone's cup of tea, so it was a bit of a gamble - but it definitely paid off."

Support your Derbyshire Times by becoming a digital subscriber. You will see 70 per cent fewer ads on stories, meaning faster load times and an overall enhanced user experience. Click here to subscribe

Related topics: