A LIVELY pub which has been transformed under the current landlord, is looking for a new one as the current incumbent plans to stand aside.

Luke Dewinton has been praised for bringing The Lamb “back to life” since it reopened in March 2022.

The Builth Wells boozer had failed to reopen after the Covid pandemic and had been closed for large periods in the years before that.

But landlord Luke, who has worked in pubs for much of his life since starting out collecting glasses, gave The Lamb a new lease of life over the past 17 months. He is stepping away as he wants to spend more time with his young family.

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Last orders at The Lamb under Luke will be on Sunday, September, 17, with Friday the 15th set to be a big night especially.

“As you may have already heard, we have made the hard decision to leave The Lamb,” said Luke in a post on the pub’s Facebook page.

“Those of you who visit us, whether it’s every week or now and again, will be able to see that we have poured our heart and soul into this little pub, and built it up to be something we are incredibly proud of.

“We have loved bringing it back to life and making it a hub of the community.

“The hours of pub work has meant that over the last 18 months I have missed out on bedtimes and weekends with my two children, and quite simply – I want this time with them as they grow."

“The Lamb will not be closing and we look forward to supporting the new operators (whoever that may be), from the other side of the bar," he added.

“I want to thank everybody for all of the support that has been shown, we have truly made some friends for life. I don’t want to miss any more family time, as many of you know they will only want to hold my hand for so long.”

The Lamb’s hit attraction has been the weekly ‘Open the Box’ competition, held on Friday nights, which has seen punters pack into the pub.

Customers buy raffle tickets for a chance to win, and the winner gets the chance to delve into a bag of keys, searching for the one that will open the box and reveal a fortune.

Each week a key disappears and the jackpot builds, with one customer winning a phenomenal £9,999 back in April this year.

Luke’s announcement attracted scores of good luck messages and was liked by nearly 500 people.

Lianne Rollinson said: “I’m so gutted, but I totally understand your reasons. The Lamb won’t be the same without you both. All the best.”

Dior Barton added: “Still not over this news! You have transformed that pub and have out done yourselves the past couple of years."

Victoria Morris said: “Take a bow guys. You’ve done such a brilliant job of The Lamb. Really poured some spirit into the place once again.”

Shelley Elizabeth added: “You have done an amazing job, incorporating young and old, and bringing the place back to life, but also supporting everything within the community.”