Staff at a new Irish sports bar coming to Leek this weekend are excited to open their doors to customers for the first time tomorrow (Saturday 13th November).

Kitty O'Shea's Irish Sports Bar will be opening tomorrow at The Silk Mill on Market Street from 12pm.

We spoke to the bar's landlord, Ashley Dickenson, ahead of the grand opening.

Ashley, who has lived in Leek all his life, said he wanted to bring "something different" to the town after running various other bars in Leek.

He told Nub News: "I decided to open an Irish themed sports bar because I thought Leek needed something different that it hasn't yet had before.

"The opening times will be 5pm to close on Wednesdays to Fridays, and from 12pm until close on Saturdays and Sundays."

He also told us about the sorts of features and events the bar will have, adding: "It contains a pool table, a darts board, TV, fruit machines, music and a log burner which is great for the colder months ahead.

"It'll have drink promotions, for a example a pint of Guinness will be £3, a single shot of Jameson's whiskey is £2 and only £3.50 for a double.

"We currently have a darts team and are part of the Leek and district darts league, and we hope in the future to look for a pool team."

He continued: "Customers will be able to enjoy traditional home cooked food from our kitchen during kitchen hours.

"We have quiz nights on a Wednesday night and bingo on Thursday nights but these take place in our main bar.

"We also play live music and have various events held in our function room which is situated upstairs."

Discussing the future of the hospitality industry and bars like this one in the post pandemic world, he added: "I have an optimistic view that business will continue to grow and things will be ok in the future.

"There are many people still wary about coming out, but it's such a nice feeling to also see many venturing out."