THE King’s Lock pub in Middlewich is now the top rated pub-restaurant in Cheshire, just months after being a ‘run-down pub serving beer from cans’.


The King’s Lock, on Booth Lane, was taken over by Cornerstone Inns in May, and in just months the pub has been transformed into the best in the county.


Dave Thompson, Middlewich town council officer, said: “Previously the venue was a run-down pub serving beer from cans, hosted by a string of unprofessional individuals.


“After reading on trip adviser and seeing for themselves holiday boaters simply carried on out of Middlewich.


“Within days of reopening on May 1, boats began mooring up by the venue, staying overnight to enjoy our renowned hospitality and prompting locals to think another boat rally had started.”


The pub now finds itself as the top rated pub-restaurant in Cheshire on Tripadvisor, while being the sixth best restaurant of any kind out of more than 2,000.


The pub has received 85 reviews since its reopening in May and 69 of them gave five out of five.


Damon Horrill, who runs Cornerstone Inns, says the key to the transformation was simply knowing what the residents wanted.


Damon said: “It’s not about throwing money at something to create snob factor, the town is about boats, real ale, and folk music so that’s the theme we use for our pub.”


Dean Elms, was appointed as the pub’s host, and is largely praised for its recent success.


Dean said: “You could tell that the pub didn’t have a lot of love before but this is all I ever wanted to do so I’m over the moon.


“We want everyone that comes through the door to have an experience, whether they’re coming in for a meal or just one drink, it’s about an experience.


“The clock we have up runs backwards, and that is just a symbol of that fact that we don’t care about time, we want people to relax and enjoy their time here.”