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07
Sept
Skelton community pub reveals first tenants
Tadgh Barry and Mary Benson have been named as the first tenants of The Black Lion in Skelton-on-Ure since the pub was bought by the community.
Villagers saved the pub, near Boroughbridge, by buying it when it was listed as an Asset of Community Value in September 2022.
Admiral Taverns had closed the venue in November 2019.
In a post of the pub’s Facebook page today (September 7), the Skelton Black Lion Pub & Hub said it was “excited to see The Black Lion reopen under their stewardship” after a “long and thorough” recruitment process.
The post added:
“It’s been just over three years since this journey began. Countless hours of dedication from our volunteers have brought us here, from securing The Black Lion’s status as an asset of community value to obtaining a government grant on our first attempt. A remarkable share offering and a tough legal battle followed, allowing us to unlock the doors to a building that was cold, damp, and plagued by water from a failed roof.
“Since then, we’ve transformed the building inside and out. It’s now cool in summer and cosy in winter. Outside, we’ve restored the sunken beer garden, added a pond, an event space, a wildlife garden, and six new caravan pitches. The original brickwork on the front of the building has been beautifully restored.
"Our volunteer-run café has been a roaring success and will continue to thrive under Tadgh and Mary’s tenancy of the pub.”
Mr Barry and Ms Benson said they had “many years’ experience operating pubs in London. They added:
“We also have a wealth of experience working in design, particularly fashion and homeware, illustration, styling, photography and marketing. We believe our backgrounds will help us build The Black Lion into a beautiful destination worth travelling to.
"Pubs have always brought our little family great joy to run, especially getting to know communities and providing a wonderful and welcoming home from home. We can’t wait to get started, and very excited to reveal our plans for this beautifully renovated and much loved pub."
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