THESE are tough times for businesses up and down the country, and none moreso than in the hospitality trade.

Pubs and bars, restaurants and cafes up and down the country have been complying with regulations that will allow them to remain open amid the coronavirus pandemic and not closing their doors for good.

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So step forward Steve Moorman and Viki Kuhlke, landlords at the Red Lion at Stiffords Bridge, Cradley, whose mission it has been over the last three-and-a-half years to restore the pub to its place at the heart of the community.

Worcester News:

Steve said: "We rolled up here in June 2017 after a brief stint in East Sussex and 20 years living and working in Crete in Greece.

"Originally running a bar, we opened a snack bar and subsequently rented a closed aparthotel, turning it into a succesful business. So succesful that we founded a holiday company to handle the guests that we could not accommodate at the hotel. The company grew and we operated this for 12 years.

"When we arrived at the Red Lion, we found a closed pub showing little sign of care or attention.

"Our vision was to restore the pub as a community asset and a place for people to enjoy good company, good beer and good food."

Worcester News:

Now, after several years' hard work, and with the aid of bar staff Kim, Chloe, Lauren, the pub is indeed at the heart of the community, boasting an extensive refurbishment and a beer garden which has proved invaluable at these times of social distancing.

The pub offers a varied menu (redlioncradley.com/menu), with gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available, serves up a range of real ales, of which the most popular is Pitchfork, and is a (very) dog-friendly environment.

Unsurprisingly for a pub at the hearty of its community, Steve lists the best thing about running a pub as "people". Even less of a surprise is the fact that the most memorable moment was opening night.

Covid-19 has provided its challenges, as it has for all working in the hospitality business, so there is now a one-way system on place, plus table service and outside area improvements.

PUB DETAILS

The Red Lion

Stiffords Bridge

Cradley

WR13 5NN

01886 880318

redlioncradley@gmail.com

• Calling all landlords and landladies in and around Worcester.

Would you like to join the growing number of pubs in and around the city that have been featured as our Pub Of The Week?

Since we launched the feature back in the summer, we’ve been able to turn the spotlight on a wide range of pubs and bars.

If you’d like to join the growing numbers of pubs to be featured, it’s easy to do. Just use this link and tell us a few details

Then we can give a well-earned shout-out to part of the hospitality sector which has come up with sensible solutions to the present problems.