The economic doom and gloom has sparked a rash of nation-wide pub closures due to dwindling drinkers and expensive leases; however one Cheshire public house is bucking the trend due to a new landlord and a renewed interest in its haunted past.

The Old Star Pub in Swanlow Lane, Winsford, has now become one of the most successful hostelries in the area, just two years after it was left lying abandoned and empty.

Since its construction in the eighteenth century, the pub has had mixed success. However Ernie Welch, the recently-arrived twenty first licensee of “The Old Star” has changed the pub’s fortunes, restoring it as a successful watering hole for Winsfordians.

Ernie, landlord of the Rifleman Pub, as well as The Old Star, has spent over £30,000 from his own pocket updating and renovating the building, to stop it from falling into disrepair.

“The Old Star was abandoned in 2009 and I officially bought the place in 2010, but I’ve given the pub a complete makeover, so it’s been a leisurely process,” said Ernie.

Although looking to the future, Ernie has also embraced the pub’s colourful past, which has been documented by Local historian Paul Hurley in his work, “Tragic Happenings at The Old Star.”

The stories have created a renewed interest in the pub since being featured on its website.

“The Old Star pub had its first landlord in 1851, but tragedy didn’t strike until much later,” said Paul.

“The really interesting story is that of Joseph Fletcher, the owner of the pub in 1906.”

Joseph, unhappy with the cards that fate dealt him committed suicide in 1913 in the pub’s bedroom, hanging himself from a bed post. This was followed by the death of his wife Elizabeth Fletcher, who fell down the cellar steps.

Ghostly apparitions were also on the menu for previous owners of the pub, Deborah Capper and Mark Massey who witnessed the spectre of a young child in Victorian dress, wandering the pub at night.

“I have not had any first hand experiences with ghosts,” said Ernie, “But even though the pub itself is very welcoming, I have to admit the original cellar is very scary, especially after Elizabeth Fletcher died there.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if we did have ghosts at the pub, after all Joseph Fletcher hung himself outside my office, but I’ve got CCTV cameras inside the building, so if there are any ghostly goings on at night I’ll be sure to capture them and show them to my regulars.”

The pub has been given a modern makeover to persuade the punters to come back but Ernie still has big plans for its future success.

He added: “One of my aims this summer is to buy a shire horse, aptly named The Old Star, to give my customers a taste of the rolling Cheshire countryside.”

For more information on “the Old Star” follow the pub on Facebook, Twitter or visit: www.the-old-star.co.uk