A couple from Llangadog have sparked some life back into their community, by taking over and reopening one of the village’s pubs.
Neil and Angharad have taken over the Goose and Cuckoo at Queens Square, and held their opening night on Wednesday, August 3.
Neil met his wife Angharad in his native Llangadog 19 years ago when she was working in the Red Lion.
They got married and moved to Llandeilo before recently moving back to take over the Goose and Cuckoo.
Angharad said: "I am from Llandeilo. I’ve just finished working in the Gwili Café there. I worked there for 15 years. Running a pub is just something I’ve always wanted to do, so we’ve done it.”
Now Angharad has the chance to do what she’s wanted, and she didn’t have long to prepare for her new role.
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“I handed my notice in, worked a week, had a week to sort things and then we opened the doors,” she said. “It was a case of ‘now or never.’
“Opening night was absolutely fantastic. I was so nervous opening the door, and then more and more people started coming in. It was so nice to have the support from everybody.
“Even people who couldn’t make opening night sent us loads of messages and it was just lovely and really nice.”
While Angharad will spend most of her time at the pub, Neil will sporadically be serving people their food and drinks.
Angharad added: “He works, and so I don’t really get him unless it’s the weekend.
“I had him working on the bar last weekend, and this isn’t what he’s normally into, but he absolutely smashed it.”
For now though, the couple say they are focused on settling in, and getting a team of staff together, so they can open more.
Angharad said: “Before we opened, I spent a few hours sat in the pub, just taking it all in. It really didn’t feel real, and it still doesn’t.”
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