A FAMILY who long held a dream of opening their own bar is celebrating 12 successful months in operation today.

Long discussing the idea of opening their own wine and cocktail bar, the Crawshaw family said that it felt like the "perfect time" to launch 'Cellar Five' once a unit came available on Tyldesley's up-and-coming high street.

A £1.5m investment to restore shop fronts has helped to improve the look of Tyldesley in recent years and Cellar Five is one of the independent businesses that has helping to boost the town's reputation.

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Leigh Journal: Inside the Elliott Street barInside the Elliott Street bar (Image: Joanne Crawshaw)
With Cellar Five benefitting from the Heritage Action Zone scheme, co-owner Joanne Crawshaw said that she thinks the bar's relaxed and famil-friendly atmosphere is what has really helped the business to thrive.

While Joanne and husband Darren are often seen inside the Elliott Street bar, it is their son Sam who runs the operation with the help of his brothers Leo and Max, and his girlfriend Abi.

Leigh Journal: The bar has had a popular cocktail focusThe bar has had a popular cocktail focus (Image: Joanne Crawshaw)
Joanne said: "Things have been going really well and we can't believe it's been a year since we opened the bar.

"Lots of people have commented that the bar is a welcoming and safe space, and that there is that family feel here where people are seeing the same faces all the time.

"We're really pleased with the feedback and we're still getting new customers coming in who are coming to Tyldesley for the first time, which is really good for the area that it's attracting more and more people."

Leigh Journal: The bar's intimate beer garden has also been well used in warmer monthsThe bar's intimate beer garden has also been well used in warmer months (Image: Joanne Crawshaw)
Over the past year, Joanne said that people have enjoyed the bar's intimate setting and cocktail focus, while their beer garden has also been a particular hit in the warmer months.

The business is now looking to grow its acoustic live music offer while keeping up what has worked over the past year.

The family is also offering a free glass of fizz and 20 percent off drinks for customers who wish to celebrate the bar's first anniversary with them today (Wednesday, March 20).

Leigh Journal: Darren, Sam, Max, Abi, Leo, and Joanne behind the bar at Cellar FiveDarren, Sam, Max, Abi, Leo, and Joanne behind the bar at Cellar Five (Image: Joanne Crawshaw)