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10
Oct
Village pub to close for £110,000 refurbishment
A pub described by its licensee as “the beating heart of village life” is to close at the end of service this Sunday (October 13) for a £110,000 refurbishment.
The Spotted Ox in Tockwith will reopen in early November with six new jobs created.
The overhaul was due to take place over the summer, but the project was delayed for unspecified reasons.
The pub’s landlord is Heineken-owned Star Pubs and its licensee is Alex O’Dell, who also manages The Ship Inn at Aldborough and The Old Black Swan in Bedale.
Mr O’Dell ran The Spotted Ox on a temporary basis from August 2023 and within the year had created eight new jobs and doubled trade by introducing food, coffee and live entertainment. He was given the job on a permanent basis earlier this year.
Alex has already created eight jobs at the pub
Mr O’Dell, who spent 13 years in the RAF Regiment and three years as a senior sous chef at the Savoy in London, said:
When I took over The Spotted Ox as a temporary manager, it was very quiet and little used. It is now the beating heart of village life. We are open every lunch and evening for food, except Mondays.
Dominoes, darts, cricket and football teams are all based here and shove-ha'penny is played too. We also show live Sky Sports and TNT Sports, host regular quizzes and live music and are popular with local shoots.
The pub is tired-looking and in need of some TLC. I have made some improvements already, but the investment will take The Spotted Ox to the next level, improving the ambience for our many regulars and visitors whilst retaining its traditional character.
I shall also be opening the newly decorated Forge Coffee Shop & Tea Room soon after the pub reopens, which as well as serving teas and coffees will be used to host village events.
The traditional pub will be painted in chalky grey, with darker grey window-frames
Externally, the pub will be redecorated in a chalky grey with darker grey windows and new signage and lighting. A timber pergola will be added to the side of the pub with festoon lighting, providing dining space for 12. The re-landscaped garden has further seating for 100, as well as a giant chess set.
The Forge Coffee Shop & Tea Room will also have seating for 40 or more and open directly onto the beer garden.
Simon Whiter, area manager for Star Pubs, said:
Alex has immersed himself in village life and has been welcomed with open arms by the community. Having been in the armed forces and worked as a Savoy chef, Alex is the perfect licensee for The Spotted Ox. He has a real passion for quality and great organisational skills.
The refurbishment will take The Spotted Ox up a notch – in keeping with the improved service – but retain its character. I wish Alex, his team and the customers of The Spotted Ox many happy days ahead.
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