New licencees have taken the helm at a Chorley pub, and they’re hoping to fly the flag for British food.

Jamie Rankin and his wife Amanda have taken charge of The Railway in Euxton.

Jamie has 18 years of fine dining from across the Atlantic under his belt, including experience as an executive chef in restaurants and resorts in New York, Florida, Massachusetts and Chicago.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to building a reputation as a destination pub that’s great for food.

“With my background in fine dining, we will be serving dishes that are well designed and presented, all prepared from local ingredients with great care.”

Amanda has lived in the Euxton for 28 years and Jamie ignited his passion for cooking at the nearby Leyland Golf Club, before moving to the US and graduating from the University of New York with a degree in business management and culinary art.

He said: “I missed the community feel of home after a while.

“The Railway is a lovely pub with a warm atmosphere and we’re really excited.”

Two new businesses have been given almost £15,000 in grants to help them thrive.

Butter Boutique on Fazakerley Street and Fabulous Floors and Furnishings on Market Street have been handed grant support to the tune of £11,000 and £3,354 respectively by Chorley Council.

Cheryl Moran, who manages Fabulous Floors and Furnishings, on Market Street, said the shop had benefited from a business rate subsidy, shop floor refurbishment grant and shop front improvement grant.

She said: “The grant was a great help getting the business started and trading has been successful.”

Kate McCullagh opened Butter Boutique, on Fazakerley Street, in November last year and applied for the grant to help support her new business. The application was successful and she now receives a subsidy of £3,354.75 – a 50 per cent contribution to her business rate.

Kate, 27, from Heath Charnock, said: “I’ve wanted to open a fashion shop since leaving school so I’d been saving up for the right time.”

Coun Alan Cullens, who has responsibility for town centre development at Chorley Council, said: “One of the council’s priorities is to help local traders and attract new businesses to the town centre.

“These grants were created to do just that and have been an undoubted success.

“It’s important we continue to support new and existing local business in Chorley to help them develop and flourish in these difficult economic times.”