27
Jun 2024
Crown Inn at Roecliffe set to re-open under previous owners
A well-known pub near Boroughbridge is set to re-open this summer.
The Crown Inn at Roecliffe, which closed about two years ago, is back in the ownership of Karl and Amanda Mainey, who ran it from 2007 to 2018 before selling it to the most recent owners.
The couple told the Stray Ferret they wanted to 'love it back to life'.
It comes after former lessee Chris Hannon, was reported by the Mirror to be facing bankruptcy last year after his previous company fell into liquidation in 2020.
The new owners, who are Roecliffe residents, said they wanted to 're-create our renowned local pub':
It was such a shame the pub closed, so we negotiated it down to a sensible price.
It is now being restored to its previous glory, like when we owned it before.
The news comes just a day after North Yorkshire Council rejected Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council’s bid to grant the pub asset of community value status.
The status is granted when a community venue – like a shop, pub or community hub – is deemed too valuable to the community to be lost. If approved, a community group generally has six months to raise funds to buy the site and, if successful, operate it thereafter.
Although North Yorkshire Council said the Crown Inn denied the application, the sale of the venue has removed the threat of its loss.
The pub, which was also formerly also a wedding venue, was put up for sale last June.
It was listed with property firm Christie & Co for £875,000. The listing has since been removed.
New owners Karl and Amanda Mainey.
Mr Mainey said the couple were now "busy stripping floors, painting and sanding oak beams" ahead of the re-opening.
They also own the Tickled Trout in Bilton-in-Ainsty, whose head chef will also take on the Roecliffe kitchen. Mr Mainey said:
Expect open fires, flagstone floors, four proper ales and 40 wines.
We’ll also have a new kitchen with a new team.
I'd say the food is smart, modern British. There will be great pub classics, with sandwiches at lunchtime, pies, fish and chips etc.
We’re big on seafood and local produce. Some goods will be foraged from local fields.
The former general manager at the Bay Horse Inn, in Goldsborough, is 'ready to look after front of house', Mr Mainey said, adding the pub will be recruiting local people for a number of positions.
He told the Stray Ferret he and Amanda were 'super excited' about the new venture and the pub is expected to open its doors once again in mid-August. It will be open daily for lunch and dinner.
The Stray Ferret contacted Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council following the council's decision to reject the asset of community value bid.
A spokesperson said on behalf of the parish council:
The application by Roecliffe and Westwick Parish Council to have the Crown registered as an asset of community value was a process that was started last year, when the pub was closed and its future as a pub looked uncertain.
Since then, we are very pleased to hear The Crown Inn has been purchased by Karl and Amanda Mainey and will be re-opening again later in the summer.
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