The new landlord of an Otley pub is vowing to take it ‘back to the future’.

Since taking over the Red Lion, in Kirkgate nearly three months ago, Chris Barr has been working on turning the inn back into a traditional, community-based venue.

He recently hosted a successful fundraising afternoon, featuring sponsored waxes, raffles, live music and auctions, for town mayor Councillor Ray Smith’s charity of the year, Otley Kids Matter.

Mr Barr said: “Everyone was looking forward to the children’s charity event and I am really pleased to have done something for the town.

“The Red Lion has been going in Otley since the 1800s and it has been a really good pub in the past – just as it is going to be again.

“The pub was closed for a while about three years ago, which was a shame and the regulars missed it.”

The Red Lion is now owned by LT Pub Management, which is running a campaign of pub support and re-openings across the country – and has re-opened 150 pubs to date, creating more than 1,000 jobs.

LT Pub Management’s local operations manager, David Richardson, said: “Changing drinking habits in the UK – not least the increase in cheap supermarket alcohol – means we are in danger of losing wonderful pubs such as the Red Lion.

“Many pubs which are closing these days are the very hub of the community, especially communities such as Otley, and we are delighted to have been able to provide the means for the Red Lion to once again play its full part in local life.”