OWNERS of a Chirk pub have thanked the community for its support after it was announced as a finalist in the Best of Welsh Business Awards.

Mark and Chelly Jones, of the Stanton House Inn in Holyhead Road, have been rewarded with a place in the final after receiving votes from their customers.

The couple were thanked for going above and beyond for their community throughout the pandemic, by delivering hot meals and cakes during Covid-19 lockdowns.

They said the support has meant even more to them during the pandemic.

Chelly said: “We’re over the moon to be honest, we never expected it at all.

“We were nominated back last year in the pub category by one of our customers.

“The voting has been going on since then and finished in January, and we’ve reached the final as a result of customers voting.

“Especially during the times in which we are living it means so much.

“We have had limited contact with our customers and friends, so to us it shows what we mean to them in the community, and we want them to know what they mean to us.”

Mark and Chelly were praised by MP Simon Baynes for their home delivery service early in the pandemic.

Chelly is hoping there is now light at the end of the tunnel with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic and said the pair cannot wait to welcome customers back soon.

“Fingers crossed we’re almost out of it,” she said.

“We know there will be a lot of pubs which don’t reopen.

“We have friends in the industry who have decided to close because they can’t afford to keep opening and closing.

“It has been hard for everyone, but I think there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel now, especially with the vaccinations getting done.”