This is an opportunity for landlords and landladies from across Wrexham and Flintshire to have the chance to showcase their establishment.

Now more than ever, it's vital to support our local businesses.

If you want your pub to be featured, simply fill in our online Q&A or if you would like to nominate a pub, email claire.pierce@newsquest.co.uk.

Pull up a pew inside this week's pub...

Steve Saxon has been running the Red Lion Pub & Restaurant, in Penyffordd, for five years.

Asking for his most memorable moment, you would expect one or two to come to mind.

Not so much. He’s somewhat spoilt for choice.

Steve said: “During my tenure, it is hard to choose from. Whether it be the magic of Christmas Eve and packed pub singing in unison to endless Christmas songs.

“Or when Wales won the Six Nations or when we had the return of drag act Shaggerada after we went to alert level 0 in Wales on the same day, to the funeral of one of our beloved local matriarchs being celebrated at the village hub.

“But for me personally, it was this year when we had the DJs Geddes & Gioia and more than 300 locals on site for an all-day, outdoor music event.

“The looks of relief on people's faces to hear live music, to be able to dance a little and to feel the positive vibe of the day. It was a collective win for us all.”

Of course relief was something Steve welcomed with open arms.

The pandemic and its respective lockdowns tested most businesses, those in hospitality hit especially hard.

Steve said: “The pandemic has been a huge challenge, of course.

“We didn't qualify for government grants or hand-outs, the only way that we could stop the windows from being boarded up was to adapt and overcome.

“We were forced to shut down on Friday, March 20, 2020, and the next day we started our home delivery service, run entirely by volunteers.

“We provided thousands of free homecooked meals to NHS staff during the pandemic, as well as delivered many, many thousands of meals to the isolated and locked down members of the community.”

But the pandemic was just the latest hurdle for the Red Lion.

Steve said: “Pre-pandemic, the challenges for us has always been competing with nearby Chester, Mold, Wrexham, etc.

“And competing with two other hospitality settings in our small and wonderful community.

“But we’re always aiming to stay ahead of the game, offer people what they want and need whilst maintaining our consistent standards.”

It’s this spirit that sees those at the pub fully embrace their place in the community 100 per cent.

Steve said: “TeamRED Volunteers were established during and because of the pandemic.

“We are now becoming a registered charity and have already raised tens of thousands of pounds for local causes.

“In addition to that we host monthly charitable and fundraising events for many local and national charities.

“Our site is also used by many community groups. I’m also a community councillor and am running to become the next county councillor for the village.”

The pub has been a part of its community for generations, and Steve explains a bit about its history, spooky happenings and all.

He said: “The Red Lion is 201-years-old, originally known as the Duke of Wellington, and sold in Chester for £25.

“It was a half-way house for horse and cart travellers and has adapted over multiple generations and world events to become what it is today, the community hub.

“There has been many, many supernatural/ghost reports in the Red Lion, even during just my tenure here. Mainly in the original building and rooms.”

While ghost-hunting might not be on the activities or events list at the Red Lion, plenty of other things are.

Steve reveals: “Bingo night - Mondays. Quiz night - Wednesdays. Local footy team are sponsored by us, the Penyffordd Lions FC. We have live music inside/outside every month, stand up comedy nights, drag queen nights, gin nights, Buff Naked Butler nights, race nights, so much!”

Like any good landlord or lady, it’s the people he serves that make it all worth while, as I ask him what’s the best thing about running the pub.

Steve said: “Making people happy and keeping the tradition of a 201-year-old local, community pub going.

“There's no greater feeling than hearing a spectacular band playing whilst every customer, young and old, are on their feet dancing and interacting with each other.

“Or a packed restaurant of happy customers all enjoying the food prepared for them by your own chefs. Priceless.”

• Red Lion

Rhos Road, Penyffordd, CH4 0JR

Opening hours: Pub noon-late Monday to Sunday, restaurant noon-Late Wednesday-Sunday

Tel: 01244 540682

Website: www.redlion-penyffordd.com