The Wild Swan at Minskip has closed suddenly.

The 19th century inn near Boroughbridge, which was known for its food and outdoor beer garden, was a popular venue for country pub lovers.

The news is a blow to Minskip and the local hospitality trade at a time when many venues are struggling.

Friends Alex Bond and Stephen Lennox bought the Wild Swan in 2021 and revived it after covid.

Mr Lennox told the Stray Ferret in February 2022 that the restaurant had been totally renovated. “We want to keep the country pub feel but put our own stamp on it,” he said.

In October that year, the owners hired Paul Murphy, who previously built up the Timble Inn near Otley into a five-star hotel, and unveiled a new-look beer garden in spring 2023.

In November 2023, Matt Turton, who had previously been employed at the Fat Badger and Yorkshire Hotel in Harrogate and once worked with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, was appointed head chef. He vowed to take the inn to the “next level”. Mr Bond and Mr Lennox heralded Mr Turton’s arrival as the start of an exciting new era.

However, the Stray Ferret understands staff found out yesterday they had lost their jobs and the inn now faces an uncertain future.

The pub ran a voucher offer before Christmas but Mr Bond said anyone still holding a voucher would be refunded. Enquiries can be made at info@wildswan.pub.