A FORMER pub owner has received good feedback after launching his new business in a Flintshire town centre.

Richard Anthony Lee, who formerly ran the Mount Inn in Chester, opened The Gathering in Mold over the weekend.

The Earl Road-based shop sells hot drinks, as well as homemade cakes sandwiches made with home baked bread.

Mr Lee told the Leader despite having enjoyed working in the pub and restaurant trade for a number of years, he wanted a change of pace.

The 51-year-old, who is also a trained chef, described his motivation to open The Gathering despite the challenges brought about by ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

"I'd already decided to do it before lockdown," he explained. "I had already stopped work and was in the process of signing a lease - so I'd already committed to it and thought I might as well do it as a takeaway.

"Working in the pub is tough. You live over the place you work, it is non-stop and you can never really get away from it. "As much as I loved working there, I wanted a bit of a slower pace of life and a better work-life balance.

"With the Gathering I'm going to be doing 8am to 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, to start with and I might look at doing meals on a Friday and Saturday night in the future."

Speaking of the reaction he has so far had from customers, he continued: "It's been really positive - a lot of people have been in touch to say they really liked the food and coffee.

"I've had a lot of requests for plant-based food, which I will be doing, as well as gluten free."

Mold town councillor Tim Maunders attended the opening on Saturday morning.

It was his final official engagement as mayor of Mold, before he steps down on Wednesday.

He told the Leader he felt the opening was a very good sign of confidence in the town centre, explaining: "To see a business opening at this stage of the coronavirus, it's brilliant.

"I think it is inspirational and it's really quite heartwarming.

"Our high streets are struggling across the globe but if we can get through this, we can get through anything."

To find out more, search for 'TheGatheringMold' on Facebook