Family say goodbye to The Princess pub, in Rawdon

The Princess, in Apperley Lane, Rawdon has been run by Aimee Emmett and Danny Farrar since 2018.

It is a small pub that has a large beer garden which is a sun trap on the best of days, is well-loved among locals and others who have a fond attachment to it, and was the Telegraph & Argus's Pub of the Week in December last year.

Dating from the mid-19th century, the pub’s original signage showed Princess Alexandra of Denmark who married the then Prince of Wales in 1863.

But some believe that it may have been named after Princess Victoria of Kent, later Queen Victoria.

In a post on the pub's Facebook and Instagram pages on Tuesday Ms Emmett and Mr Farrar announced "with a very heavy heart" that they were leaving The Princess after a "journey" of five years.

The duo have undertaken a major refurbishment, had a baby together, and endured and survived the Covid-19 pandemic in that time.

The Princess Pub, in Apperley Lane, Rawdon (Image: Google Street View)

The post began: "Our journey started 5 years ago and after 15 months of relentless hard work (which is still an understatement), a massive refurb and with a little baby Freddie, we finally started making our mark on The Princess.

"Covid hit 6 months later and we were devastated. But, by the skin of our teeth, we survived and carried on and started building something amazing.

"Now it's over 3 years later, with a not-so-little baby Archie & a cost of living crisis too, and we feel like we have given everything we can possibly give. Blood, sweat & tears!! Lots of 'em!

"And so with that we have decided that we have come to the end of our Princess journey.

"This isn't a decision we've taken lightly but we feel like we have put every ounce of our soul into this business but sometimes things just aren't meant to be and it's time for some new faces & fresh ideas."

They gave thanks to their staff and "lovely" customers, old and new, describing them as "the heart of the pub", as well as paying tribute to those they had lost over the years, "including our number 1 customer, John Rigg".

There was also special mention for Mr Farrar's mum - "the best cleaner/kitchen assistant in the world" and the man himself, who often worked in the kitchen and created the pub's menu.

Mrs Emmett revealed her partner made many sacrifices over the years to ensure the pub was running smoothly, even going back to work when their second child together, Archie, was just 24 hours old, and "missing countless special days, events, family times."

The now 26-year-old harked back to old times, when she first started in the industry, working part-time in a pub in 2014 as "a lost 17-year-old girl with no clue what I wanted to do with my life", while Mr Farrar started out as a pot-washer at The Symposium 16 years ago.

Mrs Emmett announced she will be working as a nail technician next at Blush 22, in High Street, Idle and is now looking forward to "new adventures" with their family.

She said in the post: "To our boys, Freddie & Archie, the reason why we do what we do, the reason we get out of bed in a morning. Our sunshine on a cloudy day.

"We hope we have made you so proud & we hope that you drive past when you're all grown up with kids of your own and say 'I was brought up in that pub!'

"Although, I don't know if we'll be able to ever pop in without them trying to sneak behind the bar for a fruitshoot or a packet of cheese & onion walkers."

A side view of A side view of The Princess Pub, in Apperley Lane, in Rawdon (Image: Google Street View)

The couple's last day of service will be this Sunday and they will be having drinks in celebration of their time stewarding the pub on Saturday from 7pm.

The post ended: "We will miss this life, but we are so excited to see what the future brings to us, as a family!"

Many people sent well wishes on social media in response to the posts.

Sue Murphy said on Facebook: "Such sad news, it was always lovely to come to your pub when I was visiting my daughter who had her baby shower there!

"You will be sorely missed but wishing you the best of luck in your new ventures!"

Sharon Neilson said on the same platform: "Wonderful pub... the nicest food for miles around. So sorry you're leaving. Good luck for the future!"

Meanwhile, Louise Keighley Prev Stebbings said: "Well done Aimee and Danny on the past 5 years you have achieved so much onwards and upwards to the rest of your lives sure it will be fabulous love you all xx❤."

Then on Instagram, thewildrose70 said: "We have loved eating and drinking at The Princess with you guys running it.

"Danny, thank you for introducing gluten-free and providing an amazing gin collection, particularly Dracula gin 😍 wish you guys all the best and glad Dylan had the chance to learn and grow from you both by being part of The Princess team."

Alee_zoubaa said: "Thankyou for all the amazing opportunities this pub has given me the last three years!!!

"Special shout out to my boss, friend and life mentor Danny. Will forever carry these memories with me."

Then, mickeyjhorner said: "Sounds like you’ve been through the hard bit…. Anyone looking to take it over I think you’ve given them a great foundation."

Mrs Emmett and Mr Farrar have remained tight-lipped about what the future holds for the pub now.

When asked on Facebook what the plans are for The Princess after Sunday, they responded: "We won't say too much on that as its not our place to say so.

"But I'm sure the new owners will have their own way of announcing any news on this page from the 7th."