The Ardleigh, Hornchurch: Pub 'covered in Christmas decorations'

The Ardleigh, in Ardleigh Green Road, calls itself a "true local pub" on its Facebook page - and it's easy to see why.

Run by Lisa Bagwell and her team, the Ember Inns boozer offers "classic" pub food, curry nights and weekly quizzes, all served by "friendly" staff.

The Christmas tree is up ready for a double busy Christmas season (Image: Lisa Bagwell/Picture 55)

General manager Lisa, who has worked at The Ardleigh for eight years, told the Recorder: "My team are amazing - they are very friendly.

"I love the fact that the local community love a drink in here, and it is full of people from the area all the time."

She added that some of her team have been "with her from the start".

Lisa called her team 'amazing' (Image: Lisa Bagwell/Picture 55)

Since The Ardleigh's refurbishment - which was completed in September - the team has welcomed "a lot of new customers".

The three-week refurb included new seating, changes to the bar and extending the dining space.

However, the pub has managed to keep its "cosy" feel, according to Lisa. 

The pub has kept its 'cosy' feel after a refurb (Image: Lisa Bagwell/Picture 55)

She said: "The building is around 200 years old, and we've got two real, open fires.

"It's got high ceilings and is quite a big pub, but it's very cosy.

"At the moment it's covered in Christmas decorations so feeling festive."

Even its garden is cosy (Image: Lisa Bagwell/Picture 55)

The Hornchurch pub is "double busy" going into the festive season and has a variety of events planned from a karaoke and disco night to breakfast with Santa.