THE Woolpack in Esholt – made famous for being the fictional pub in TV soap Emmerdale for 20 years – has a new landlord.

James Downey, who has been running the Woolpack since March, has now officially signed the lease for the iconic watering hole, which attracts visitors from around the world.

He took over the pub following its short closure and has since worked hard to win back the locals and people from around the area, as well as building good relationships with the coach companies who bring fans of Emmerdale to Esholt village.

James is well known locally, as he was brought up in Baildon and Apperley Bridge, and he and his sister, Emma, were christened at Esholt church, where his parents, Peter and Gilly, were married in 1982. He also owns the Waterside Restaurant and Bar in Shipley.

The licensed trade runs in James’ family. His grandmother, Pauline Downey, was the landlady of the Queens in Apperley Bridge for 20 years and, prior to that, The Peacock in Yeadon, and his great grandmother ran the then then famous Angel in Morley during the war.

James said: “I feel very privileged to have been handed the responsibility to look after what has to be the most famous working pub in the country.

“We have been really welcomed by those living in Esholt and the surrounding areas, who are delighted the village pub has been returned to its former glory.

“We are planning a series of events to attract people to the Woolpack during the winter months, with the first one being a Hallowe'en party on Saturday, with live music from Northern Epidemic. Hopefully, my grandmother would be very proud!”