SHIPLEY restaurant owner James Downey has officially become the new landlord of

The Woolpack in Esholt, which is famous for being the fictional pub in Emmerdale for 20 years.

James, who owns the Waterside Restaurant and Bar in Shipley, has been running the Woolpack since March and has now signed the lease for the iconic pub, which still attracts visitors from around the world.

He took over running the pub following a short closure and has since worked hard to win back the locals and people from around the area, as well as building relationships with the coach companies which bring Emmerdale fans to Esholt village.

James was brought up in Baildon and Apperley Bridge and he and his sister Emma were christened at Esholt church, where his parents, Peter and Gilly, were married in 1982.

James has the licensed trade in his blood. His grandmother Pauline Downey was the landlady of the Queens in Apperley Bridge for 20 years and before that, The Peacock in Yeadon, and his great grandmother ran the Angel in Morley during the war.

James said, “I feel very privileged to have been handed the responsibility to look after what has to be the most famous working pub in the country.

“We have recruited a great team in the kitchen and front of house and we are building an excellent reputation for quality home cooked food, well-kept beers and a lovely atmosphere.

“The result is that we have been really welcomed by those living in Esholt and the surrounding areas who are delighted the village pub has been returned to its former glory.

“We are planning a series of events to attract people to the Woolpack during the winter months, with the first one being a Halloween party on 31 October with live music from Northern Epidemic.

“Hopefully my grandmother would be very proud!”

The Woolpack, which was used as the exterior of Emmerdale's pub for more than 20 years, underwent a £50,000 refurbishment in 2013 . The work restored its traditional country inn look, with original beams, open fires and a flagstone floor. A restaurant was created in a former stable .

Three years earlier the pub was rescued form long-term closure thre months after shutting its doors through the efforts of Esholt resident James Waddington, operations director of an interim pub management firm. Negotiations with owners Enterprise Inns led to the piub being reopened under new management.