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02
May
Harrogate couple expand their pub empire by re-opening historic inn
A historic pub in Linton, near Wetherby, will re-open today (Friday, May 2) after the lease was taken over by a Harrogate-based couple of hospitality entrepreneurs.
The 461-year-old Windmill Inn has been taken on by Sharon and Simon Colgan, who run a total of 12 pubs, including the Blues Café Bar and the Empress on the Stray in Harrogate and the World’s End in Knaresborough.
The Windmill Inn in Linton, near Wetherby.
Ms Colgan told the Stray Ferret there would be no grand opening ceremony – and people may even have to bring their own chairs.
She said:
We signed the lease a couple of weeks ago, and we’ve brought in new carpets, new furniture and a new menu.
But we’ve sent the chairs to be re-upholstered, and they’re coming back in dribs and drabs, so there’ll be standing room only, plus the seating in the garden. People have been offering to bring their camp chairs!
So we’re not completely ready, but we just couldn’t let this bank holiday weekend go by without opening.
The beamy interior of the centuries-old pub.
The Windmill Inn opened in 1564 – the year William Shakespeare was born – but it closed its doors in January this year, when its tenants opted to leave.
The closure caused great concern among many villagers and regulars – there was discussion about taking it over as a community venture – and its rebirth has been welcomed by residents.
Ms Colgan said:
I’ve never seen so much positive feedback when we’ve been going to re-open a pub. So many people absolutely love this place, and they were so worried it would just be turned into someone’s home.
We’re really excited to be taking it on. I thought it was perhaps a bit ‘above our pay grade’, but actually, all the people in the village are just like us – they work really hard and enjoy the rewards.
The new landlord and landlady, Rob Lamb and Michelle Landers.
The pub, which is still owned by Heineken, will be run by Michelle Landers and Rob Lamb, and a newly-recruited chef will use locally-sourced produce for a largely British menu.
The North Yorkshire Smokehouse will provide pizzas – cooked in the outdoor pizza oven in good weather – and there will also be live music nights and pub quizzes.
Ms Colgan said:
If a place is a bit run down and you’re tripping over the carpet, people won’t want to come. But if you get the fundamental staples right – if it’s clean and tidy, and you get a good pint and some good food – then you can make it work anywhere.
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