A WELL-KNOWN pub in Carlisle, which has been closed for more than two years, has re-opened.

The Magpie Inn in Victoria Road, Botcherby, is now a hub of the community, hosting council meetings, bingo and quiz nights.

Laura and George Parsons have moved from Glasgow to run the pub, which was bought by Samuel Smiths Old Brewery.

The couple opened their doors to a warm welcome from locals.

Laura, 40, said: “We came to have a look in December, not long after the floods. There were boats everywhere.

“We’ve been here two weeks preparing for the opening. There wasn’t anything fundamentally wrong with the pub, it was just a case of getting rid of the rubbish that was here before and giving the place a deep clean.

“George and I wanted to do something together and so we decided to run a pub. It’s been great so far.”

The pub, which is wood panelled with copper trim, doesn’t serve food or have any televisions so there is no live sport.

“It’s all about conversation and the real fire, which is a big hit. The Botcherby people were pleased to see the pub reopen,” said George.

The pub, which has three separate rooms, was designed by celebrated architect Harry Redfern as part of Carlisle’s State Management Scheme. Laura said: “We held a small council meeting on Saturday and we are hosting bingo every second Monday. We can cater if needs be. I said I would provide tea, coffee and cakes for the bingo group so they were chuffed.”

The pub will host its first quiz night tonight and is going to start a pool, darts and hopefully a local football team.

There will also be bingo on a Sunday afternoon.

Laura, who is a qualified interior designer, said: “When the weather gets better we will have tables outside and flower pots to make it prettier.

“We would also like to hold barbecues in the summer and get the bowling green open again.”

The pub was busy on Sunday with fans ahead of Carlisle United’s FA Cup tie.

Laura said: “It was mental. We had one or two buses here. George is going to speak to some of the away clubs to let their fans know that we are here.”

Phil Tuer from the Campaign for Real Ale welcomed news that The Magpie had reopened.

He said: “It’s a lovely pub and it hasn’t suffered with the length of time that it has been shut. It looks as good as it did after its first refurbishment.

“I think it will be busy at the moment, especially with The Beehive not being open and others that have shut in the area.

“Hosting events like bingo will get people in who don’t normally go and it’s good that they have the three separate rooms. It has a cosy feel and it is warm and comfortable.

“From Camra’s point of view we would like to see a real ale on tap but as there isn’t one we tried a few of the bottled beers instead.”

Samuel Smiths Old Brewery owns pubs all over the country, which are all stocked with the brewery’s own range of beers and spirits.

The Magpie is its second pub in Cumbria. The other is based in Heversham in south Lakeland.