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30
Sept
What is happening at troubled Ripon pub?
Returning regulars, Ripon residents and passengers going by on the 36 double decker bus, are all asking the same question: ‘What exactly is going on at the South Lodge?’
Six days ago, the Stray Ferret published an interview with Robert Furmage who, at very short notice, moved from a pub in Skegness to take over the troubled Harrogate Road hostelry after being approached by Star Pubs, the leasing and property company owned by Heineken UK.
Since then, a sign inviting people to apply to manage the pub has been put in place, causing widespread confusion.
Yesterday afternoon, Mr Furmage told the Stray Ferret:
I was initally asked by Star Pubs to move to South Lodge on a temporary basis, but I was subsequently asked if I was interested in running the pub on a more permanent basis and I said that I was.
Robert Furmage and his colleagues at South Lodge face an uncertain future.
But today a spokesperson supplied the following statement to the Stray Ferret, which said:
In order to keep the South Lodge open for the community to enjoy, we have arranged for a temporary operator to run the pub for the foreseeable future whilst we recruit a new operator.
The South Lodge is a welcoming community pub in a desirable area of Ripon. Anyone with relevant hospitality experience who is interested in running The South Lodge on behalf of Star Pubs can find out more from our recruitment team.
But just how long is 'the foreseeable future?'
Mr Furmage said:
One interested party has already been shown around the pub by a Heineken area manager, without prior notice being given to me, so I may only be here for a very short time and left looking for somewhere to go.
It's a shame, because South Lodge is at a great location. and has lots of potential. The people who have been coming here for a drink in the few weeks that I have been in charge are very freindly.
Robert Furmage had long-term plans for the pub
In the meantime, in response to questions posed on social media, a member of staff who works at the South Lodge, said:
We are not going to lie to our customers, we honestly have no idea why the sign has been put up.
In our September 24 story, Mr Furmage talked about his plans to restore the pub's reputation. He said:
I'm aware that South Lodge has had a number of problems in recent years and it's my job to re-build its reputation as a welcoming family-friendly pub that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
I can't comment on the people who were previously in charge and I don't know why they left after a short time here.
The restaurant seating area was upgraded as part of the £360,00 refurbishment.
Comings and goings at South Lodge
South Lodge has closed and reopened several times since Star Pubs advertised for a tenant in May 2023.
The venue closed abruptly in February 2024 after a police raid in which suspected drugs were found on the premises.
It subsequently reopened with new tenants only to close again for five months in which a £360,000 internal and external refurbishment was carried out.
The pub reopened under new management in a blaze of publicity from Star Pubs on May 22, but the new managers left ater four months in charge.
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