An Ashby bar serving locally brewed beers has been praised for its recovery from lockdown - which happened just after the new owners had taken over.

John and Laura McEntee relaunched Brew, in Market Street, last March, only to be unable to open when strict Coronavirus measures were introduced by the Government.

But now the compact micro bar is up and running again - and proving popular with regulars.

Brew serves a variety of craft beers, including some from Smisby and Coalville.

Last weekend, the bar received a visit from Mayor of Ashby, Cllr Graham Allman, and Mayoress Charmaigne, as part of events to mark Ashby being awarded Purple Flag status - which is given to towns that promote their night-time economy - for a fourth successive year.

But the couple admit it was an uncertain time when they were told they could not open as planned last Spring.

Laura explained: "We'd put a deposit down before Covid and were due to take it on at Easter, the beginning of April, we didn't qualify for support of anything like that.

"The previous owner took some deliveries and we were finally able to open in June, but that was just for takeaways.

"We actually opened for drinks in August, not early July when the pubs could re-open.

"The size of these sort of places makes it difficult, this is a very compact place, but we let everyone get it out of their system at first.

"And it's gone very well, we've had a good reception. We control the numbers to stay safe and we don't have to tell people off too much!"

Laura admits there was an air of panic when they were told they could not open as planned.

"It was kind of like: 'What do we do?', you have no idea how things are going to pan out," she said.

"And it is a risk. Do you pull out and forget about it completely? Or do you carry on and try to make the best of it?

"So we carried on and we're pleased that we did. We're really enjoying it.

"This is new to both of us. John was in the building trade for 36 years and had a groundworks company.

"We had a digger and things like that, that's all gone now."

John added: "We were balancing two businesses at one point."

Now, they say that Brew is almost operating as planned - with safety measures in place.

Laura added: "We've got some really nice regulars and there's a really nice community feel in Ashby.

"The difference here is the craft beer, the process that goes into it and the fact that it's generally small independent breweries that we use.

"It's a specialised product, if you come here, you can sample different beers, you wouldn't just come in and have a pint in front of you all night.

"We can suggest different drinks."

John added: "Anyone's welcome to try anything that's on the board, so we can give them a little taster.

"We have around 180 different gins, ciders and craft beers, wine, Prosecco. There's always something we can find, the choice is constantly changing."

Laura gave examples of some of the local brews on offer.

She said: "The local beers we sell are from Smisby-based brewer Leatherbritches.  They are located next to the Taphouse pub and restaurant.  They are a family run business.

"We stock several of their bottled beers which people like to buy in gift boxes and they have also labelled us our very own Brew Ashby Pale Ale which we currently have on draft and in bottle.

"We also stock Loughborough brewer, Charnwood and Derby-based Dancing Duck in bottles as well as a wide range of UK and International craft beer in cans and on draught.

"We also sell Tynt Meadow beer.  It's made by the monks at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey and is the only UK trappist beer.  It is a very popular beer with our customers."

John added: "Last week, we had the rugby player Freddie Tuilagi in here. We've also had Dorian West in here who was part of the 2003 England World Cup winning squad.

"And we get a bit of support from people like that.

"What we'd like to do, when restrictions are lifted a bit, is to add a few more seats. We can maybe go from 18 seats to 24, people have to be able to relax.

"We want to keep people comfortable but we want to put our own stamp on it."