Familiar faces are taking over a Bolton pub.

Husband and wife team.  Emma and Andy Ireson have stepped behind the bar of The Poacher in Blackrod. 

The landmark pub, which sits on the corner of Scot Lane and Manchester Road, was handed over on August 21. 

The pair will be known by many as the previous managers of the Old Three Crowns on Deansgate between 2013 and 2017, before moving to manage a pub in Accrington, the Thorn Inn in Church. 

Andy and Emma Ireson at the Old Three Crowns when they took it over in 2013Andy and Emma Ireson at the Old Three Crowns when they took it over in 2013

Emma, whose surname was Jackson when they took on the Three Crowns, said: "Our main aim is to have decent cask ales, decent beer, a friendly atmosphere and we will show sport. 

"At the moment it will stay as it is, then we will see in the next few months about changes. 

"We are planning to do charity events, more than likely fun days, we want to get the community involved. 

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"We have different ideas but it is early days yet." 

She added: "We decided to leave our previous pub, one of the customers found out that the previous landlords were leaving and so my parents heard about it. 

"We got it and applied for it." 

The Poacher, BlackrodThe Poacher, Blackrod

Emma, who was raised in Blackrod, said it would be nice to be closer to family after seven years living in Accrington. 

Andy, who is originally from Leeds, said: "We want to work with the local community, working out what the customers want. 

"We are not coming in all guns blazing, saying we are going to do XYZ, we want to speak to people and ask them 'what do you want for your local pub'.

"We are looking to get the sports channels as we have heard it is something people might be interested in. 

"I have been involved in pubs for 40 years, I've been all over the country, between Cornwall and Scotland. But this will be good so we can be closer to family and friends."