"IT doesn’t feel like coming to work."

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Krystle Morgan, the landlady of a popular Leigh pub, the Woodcutters Arms.

This month, the pub in Eastwood Road North scooped the "outstanding pub of the year" award, beating more than 500 other Craft Union-owned establishments.

Punters vow they "wouldn’t drink anywhere else" and have hailed staff as the reason for its success, admitting the venue did not have the best reputation in years gone by.

And Krystle, 39, cannot fault her staff, praising their contribution to making the pub the place to be for locals. 

She said: “It’s a small team but it’s a great team. We love the community feel.

“It doesn’t feel like coming to work, we enjoy what we’re doing."

Echo: The Woodcutters Arms is in Eastwood Road North, Leigh.The Woodcutters Arms is in Eastwood Road North, Leigh. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The pub does not have a kitchen, instead offering traditional bar snacks. It also boasts two pool leagues and two darts leagues. Football teams regularly meet for social events.

Krystle added: “An over-45s football team recently won a full set of kits from Carling as part of Craft Union’s ‘Love Your Local’ campaign. They were ecstatic.

“We do a lot of charity work, some of which is set nationally, but we also support customers’ causes.”

Echo: Dogs are welcome at the popular pub.Dogs are welcome at the popular pub. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Supervisor Chelsea Baker, 31, worked at Southend’s Kursaal with Krystle and joined her when she moved to the Woodcutters.

She said: “I love it, it’s great. There’s a good atmosphere and good banter.

“Back in the day, it had a bad reputation. We’ve been told we turned it around.”

Echo: Daniel Webster has been a Woodcutters regular for four years.Daniel Webster has been a Woodcutters regular for four years. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Daniel Webster, 40, of Irvington Close, Leigh, has visited regularly for four years and says he “wouldn’t drink anywhere else”.

He said: “I’m loyal to where I feel relaxed. It’s supposed to be a sports bar but it’s more of a family pub.

“Before, I heard the punters sort of ran the pub. Krystle came in and sorted it out.

“It gives you the confidence to bring the kids in and enjoy yourself.”

Echo: Lee Bevan says the pub has improved under its current management.Lee Bevan says the pub has improved under its current management. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

Regular Lee Bevan, 51, of Whiteways, Eastwood, says the pub is “a hundred percent better” than when he visited previously.

“You haven’t got to wear a gum shield or a crash helmet anymore,” he joked.

“Everyone gets on, so we don’t have any trouble."