LANDLADY Dawn Slater is offering people a warm welcome to The Slow and Easy Hotel after taking over the Punch Taverns business.

A restaurant and band nights are some of the changes Dawn has introduced since taking the reins at the Manchester Road hotel in Lostock Gralam.

In addition special events are planned as part of the transformation of the hotel, being run by Dawn with her son Ben, 24, and daughter Sophie, 19.

“We are aiming at the 25-plus age group, not so much the younger ones, as well as families,” said Dawn, who ran clubs and pubs for the past five years.

“People have been saying the atmosphere is a lot more friendly since we’ve taken over, and there have been very positive comments about the food.”

The hotel boasts an 80-table restaurant, offers breakfasts during the week, and there is a DJ night every Saturday, including a band the same night on alternate weeks.

There will be a fancy dress party on Christmas Eve, with a bottle of champagne for the best costume, a party on Boxing Day, and local band Dirty Little Secret, a DJ and food on New Year’s Eve.

Jam Town Rockers and Manchester Ska Foundation are booked for February, and a bikers rock weekend is planned for August.

The hotel boasts a games room, including plasma TVs, and is due to have new signs next month.