Exciting year ahead for Cumrbian pub group following the appointment of a highly experienced executive chef.

Darran Hargan, from Grange-over-Sands, has joined the award-winning family-run Lakeland Inns and will oversee the development of the company’s five popular Lake District venues; inclucing The Sun in Ulverston and The Commodore in Grange.

He explained the opportunity to work with Lakeland Inns’ talented culinary teams was one he simply could not miss.

“Lakeland Inns is a customer-focussed, happy, ambitious group of pubs and I’m proud to be joining such a talented team,”

“We’ve got an exceptional group of handpicked head chefs and have deliberately matched their style and personality to the individual feel of each of the Lakeland Inns venues."

Former head chef of a large Lake District hotel, Darran also spent three years as an assessor for NVQ hospitality and management trainees across the area, a background he will now deploy to help nurture the skills and experience of those working throughout the business.

“I’m also passionate about helping people to develop their career and move forward within the industry.

“While each pub is very different, they all have the same high standards, so we can provide team members with a range of experiences to help them to grow and fulfil their potential.”

Kirsty Ridge, Lakeland Inns managing director, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to welcome someone as experienced as Darran on board to help steer the vision for each pub and to bring out the very best in our teams.”