This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Latest Jobs
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Latest Jobs
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • In Your Area
  • Knaresborough

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Advertise your job
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

  • Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

26

Sept 2024

Last Updated: 25/09/2024
Knaresborough
Knaresborough

Boroughbridge pub entrepreneur takes on Knaresborough village venue

by Lauren Ryan

| 26 Sept, 2024
Comment

0

mixcollage-25-sep-2024-05-06-pm-7398
The Blue Bell at Arkendale & Simon Wade

Pub entrepreneur Simon Wade has taken on his latest challenge — a village pub near Knaresborough.

Mr Wade currently owns three pubs in the Boroughbridge area, Grantham Arms, Tap on the Tutt and Fox and Hounds.

He is set to become the owner of The Blue Bell at Arkendale next week. The pub will open under his management on Tuesday October 1.

The venue will remain under the ownership of West Park Inns Limited until then.

Mr Wade said:

I have been in the area for a long time and about 25 years ago there was a corridor of inland country inns which were really popular. Recently the Tiger Inn (in Coneythorpe) and the General Tarleton (in Ferrensby) closed but the demographic hasn’t changed, people still want to go out.

It is a step towards Knaresborough and Wetherby but in my operating area, not too far from Boroughbridge.

This opportunity came to me, and I am embracing it, I want to rebirth The Blue Bell and restore it to its former glory. 

He added they have retained the core team who already work at the Blue Bell, meaning his pub collection now employs a total of 75 people, who are all based in the local area.

He aims to “countrify” the venue and it is set to get upgrades costing a significant sum.

The inn is set to get upgraded equipment, new features, furniture and uniforms. As well as signage, colours, and a new menu.

mixcollage-25-sep-2024-05-10-pm-8335

Food at Tap on the Tutt, owned by Simon Wade

Mr Wade said:

I want to give the pub more of a village, local friendly feel and up the anti on food to make it a destination for a food experience.

He and his head chef Jo Hepworth, formerly of the Swinton Estate and The Grantham Arms, are currently redesigning the menu which will go live next week. 

He said it will “have seasonal changes and will have more of a traditional, country inn feeling.”

Mr Wade now owns four venues in the district and described himself as “an independent lad who has built [his business] up by being consistent."

He said that four venues are enough for now but added: 

That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop looking at opportunities. I am here to make a really nice venue in Arkendale and put everything I can into it.

StarThe pub entrepreneur putting Boroughbridge on the mapStarNew Irish bar set to open in HarrogateStarWork begins on major new Harrogate bar