DURING this week’s First Minister’s Questions, the newly re-opened Blue Lion in Cwm, Dyserth was highlighted to Mark Drakeford by the Vale of Clwyd MS, Gareth Davies.

Mr Davies, while asking Mr Drakeford what actions the Welsh Government is taking to support young Denbighshire entrepreneurs, highlighted the example set by Jonathan White, 27, and Megan Banks, 25, who re-opened the popular pub on June 1.

Mr Davies addressed the Senedd saying: “I recently visited the Blue Lion pub situated in Cwm, near Dyserth, in Denbighshire, which has been taken on by new owners earlier this month.

“The pub, reportedly being the second-oldest free house in Wales, has been re-opened by young entrepreneurs, Jonathan White, aged 27, and Megan Banks, aged 25, who have worked locally in the food and hospitality industry for a number of years and have now taken the leap into managing their own establishment, contributing to the local economy, and providing jobs for others.

“I'd like to congratulate both Jonathan and Megan for taking on this endeavour, and wish them and their team at the Blue Lion every success.

“And to ask you, First Minister, with approximately 4,800 young people in Denbighshire unemployed as of December 2021, and one-fifth of people in Denbighshire living in workless households, what is the Welsh Government doing to encourage more young people in Denbighshire to follow in the footsteps of my constituents in pursuing and sustaining their own businesses?”

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Mr Drakeford said: “I wouldn't like to get into a contest with him (Mr Davies) on pub visiting, but I visited a pub in Burry Port recently, which had equally been taken over by two young people, and making an enormous success of it.

“So, I congratulate his constituents for the work that they are doing and all those young people in Wales who have that initiative and that drive to make sure that, where they have contributions that they want to make, they find ways of doing it.”

The Blue Lion took to social media to share news of the unexpected attention given to their new owners.

In a Facebook post, which now has more than 250 likes and interactions, they shared a video clip from the chamber and said: “It’s not every day you get a shout-out during First Minister’s Questions at the Senedd!”

The Blue Lion is open from Monday to Sunday and serving food all day.

For more information, go to: www.facebook.com/bluelioninncwm.