By Duncan Bick Brampton reporter

Last updated at 14:53, Friday, 15 February 2013

Regulars and community leaders are pleased the new woman in charge of a pub with a chequered history is ready to restore it to glory.

The White Lion, Brampton

The White Lion, on High Cross Street, Brampton, has been taken over by local businesswoman Karen Teasdale, who lives in the town.

The pub has changed hands repeatedly since the 1990s.

Locals hope she can make a success of the venture.

Parish council chairman David Moorat, who has written a book on the history of Brampton’s public houses, led the calls.

He said: “I know that the White Lion has been a problem over the last 10-15 years. It never seems to have been a success – there have been various owners but it never seems to have got cracking.”

He added: “It would be really good seeing it back in working order.”

The White Lion is one of four pubs in Brampton. It has eight bedrooms, a lounge bar and restaurant.

The most infamous transfer of ownership was back in December 2007 when the pub closed just a few weeks after being taken over by Bill Horne, whose father had worked there before him, and his partner Fiona Newham.

Another pair of publicans, Paul Sloane and Steven Crake, then took it over but within six months they had been served with an eviction notice.

There was concern in Brampton last week when the pub closed, with several people contacting The Cumberland News.

Anne-Marie Baxter, who owns Handbags and Glad Rags on Shepherds Lane, has held several charity events in the White Lion.

“A lot of people have had the pub and it hasn’t worked,” she told The Cumberland News.

“I think it will do Brampton good if it is open. I like a little bit of variety.”

She added that three pubs would be a very small number for a town of more than 4,000 residents like Brampton.

Ms Teasdale’s appointment was confirmed on Tuesday by the pub’s owners, Enterprise Inns.

In a statement they said: “We are very pleased to welcome Karen Teasdale as the new publican of the White Lion Hotel.

“Karen is a local businesswoman with lots of exciting plans to restore the While Lion Hotel to its former historic glory.”

First published at 14:50, Friday, 15 February 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk