The Campaign for Real Ale has lauded plans to reopen an historic south Cumbria pub.

The General Burgoyne in Great Urswick has been taken over by new management.

The Church Street pub has closed and reopened several times over the last few years.

In 2018, Urswick man John Oldfield took on The Burgoyne at the age of 19 before leaving the Robinsons Brewery pub in September 2022 due to 'personal circumstances.'

The pub was quickly taken over by Claire Farrell and her finance Kevin Pietrzak on October 3, 2022.

The couple also run The King’s Arms pub in Ulverston, which ultimately led to them closing The General Burgoyne in May 2023 as they could not keep up the workload between both establishments.

Another manager was brought in and ran the pub for less than a year before closing again.

The General Burgoyne closed four months ago when it ceased operations on March 20 of this year.

Now a statement on The General Burgoyne’s social media page said the new managers plan to have a ‘little clean up, update and decorate’ before reopening.

CAMRA’s North West Regional Director, Ralph Warrington said: “A pub re-opening its doors is always a welcome occasion, even more so in these financially challenging times. Too often, we see pubs closing doors for good, so the return of the General Burgoyne is a cause for celebration. It will be a terrific boon to the surrounding community with them gaining back their local hub. The General Burgoyne is a notable pub due to its historic interior, recognised by CAMRA's Pub Heritage Group.

“Despite the re-opening of the General Burgoyne, pubs, clubs and taprooms, along with the brewers and cider producers who serve them, are all facing countless challenges. Escalating costs of goods and energy bills, and unfair business rates threaten to wipe out crucial community hubs around the UK. 

“CAMRA hopes the new Labour Government will speedily follow through on their pledges to help pubs by reforming the current unfair business rates system and reducing beer duty. This way pubs, clubs and taprooms will be able to go on and thrive in their communities, instead of just getting by and surviving.”