Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie has praised a Westrip pub for all it did during the pandemic to help the community and keep people employed.

Ms Baillie visited the family-run Carpenters Arms in Redhouse Lane last Friday for a catch up and talked about bouncing back from Covid with landlady Sammy McKie.

The pub ran a village shop from the barbeque area, selling eggs and flour, locally sourced freshly baked bread, fruit, vegetables and meat as well as flowers, compost and take-away beer during lockdowns.

It also delivered shopping to many people across Stroud, Whiteshill, Randwick, Woodchester and Rodborough and to those who were shielding.

Free drinks were also given to NHS workers and teachers.

The pub received £30,000 in government grants and Sammy was able to furlough staff too.

“Many thanks to Sammy for talking me through her journey and describing what a challenge it was to take over the pub in December 2019 and then within three months to be faced with having to close down its traditional business.

“We talked through pressures on the hospitality sector, including the recent reports of a shortage of workers. The adaptability shown was amazing and the pub and many others across the constituency have really cemented themselves on the map as an outstanding community asset.

“I am delighted everyone is now getting back to the job of selling pints and food.

"I wish all of our publicans and their families the very best of luck.”