A UNIQUE drinking experience is being created by an ambitious couple.

Gareth and Becky Edwards are turning the Golden Lion into Middlewich Tap House.

The new venture will be a dream come true for the pair who used to work behind the bar of the Chester Road pub when it closed during lockdown last March.

Dad-of-three Gareth, 39, said: "We are really excited. We plan to offer a selection of world beers and craft ales. We will stock American IPAs, Belgium and German beers as well as beer from local breweries.

"Our aim is to have 15 regular rotating craft ales on five cask ale pumps.

Middlewich Tap House will serve a selection of world beers and craft ales

Middlewich Tap House will serve a selection of world beers and craft ales

Middlewich Tap House will serve a selection of world beers and craft ales

"We will also be selling the usual Guinness and Carlsberg because we don't want to alienate our loyal regulars."

A selection of speciality gins will also be available alongside a cocktail menu.

"We're going for drinks that you can't go to the supermarket and buy," said Gareth. "The gin market has exploded, there are so many different varieties.

"There are also many local people who brew gins, it's a really niche market.

"We will also be selling craft beers over the bar by the can and bottle so if people don't want a night out they can come in and perhaps collect a half a dozen different ones.

"We will also be doing promotions for birthdays and special events as well as competitions once we get our website up and running."

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This will be the first time Gareth has run a pub although he has plenty of bar experience.

"I have worked in a couple of pubs," said Gareth. "My mum and dad Alan and Pauline Edwards used to run the British Legion.

"Before that I worked as an Aldi store manager.

"I am a craft baker by trade so I have got plans further down the line. We will start with homemade sausage rolls and pies."

Gareth with wife Becky and sons, Dominic, Henry and Dylan

Gareth with wife Becky and sons, Dominic, Henry and Dylan

Gareth with wife Becky and sons, Dominic, Henry and Dylan

The couple have three sons, Dylan, 16, Dominic, 13 and Henry, three, and hope to turn the pub into a destination venue.

"It is a dream to have your own place," said Gareth. "You get out what you put in. We are starting the renovations next week. It will be a total refurbishment to make it more modern. There will be three log fires so people can get cosy in the winter.

"The pub has rooms and already offers bed and breakfast. We get tourists for the folk and boat festival and people come over for racing at Oulton Park.

The couple have been overwhelmed by the response after they have received from the local community

The couple have been overwhelmed by the response after they have received from the local community

The couple have been overwhelmed by the response after they have received from the local community

"Hopefully we can turn it into more of a package. People go round the country trying cask ales and craft beers.

"The response so far has been amazing. We had over 4,000 interactions on our Facebook page in just a few hours, it was absolutely crazy.

"We want to get everyone talking. Word of mouth is the best advertising you can get."

Middlewich Tap House hopes to open on the weekend after May 17 when indoor hospitality and hotels are expected to be allowed to come out of lockdown.