A POPULAR west Cumbrian pub has welcomed new landlords - and they have been 'taken aback' by the locals' support.

New landlords Nigel and Aloon took over at The Bush Pub based on Main Street, Cockermouth on September 23, having moved to Cumbria from North Yorkshire in October 2023.

The couple have been blown away with the positive feedback from customers since moving into the pub last month, taking over from previous landlords Tim and Paula who have now moved to The George Hotel in Keswick.

Speaking about taking on the pub, Nigel said: "We are delighted to announce after a couple of weeks' bedding in period, and meeting so many of the wonderful Bush customers old and new, we’ve been taken aback by the warm welcome we’ve received.

"Tim and Paula are a very hard act to follow, but the support has been fantastic during a stressful couple of weeks.

"It was just like moving house, only six times bigger. Happily we're now settled in, and raring to go."

Nigel and Aloon will be aiming to add their own stamp on the much popular Cockermouth pub, with a new food menu launching next week - aiming to provide home cooked pub grub as well as an Asian influence- with Aloon being a fully-trained international chef with many years' experience in the hospitality industry.

Nigel said: "We are keen to keep the good vibe that The Bush has built up going and are very excited to announce our new menu will be up and running on our website in the next week or so.

"Our free taster sessions have been really well received and we can’t wait to offer Bush Inn customers a menu which not only keeps in line with traditional good, home cooked pub fayre, but introducing both Thai and Chinese cuisine as an option, with Aloon being a master of her art in that department."

The couple are also intending to continue with a live music and occasional special events programme and will be issuing a new edition of the very popular and unique What’s on Guide quarterly programme.