Editor’s Pick of the Week: Farmers, phantom snow, Rachel Daly and Harrogate’s Coach and HorsesNew-look Coach and Horses reopens in HarrogateHarrogate’s Coach and Horses bids to bring back bigger bar

The Coach & Horses in Harrogate has revealed plans to expand its bar.

Provenance Inns bought the pub on West Park in 2021 and extensively refurbished it.

But the new, much smaller bar has met with a mixed reaction.

Provenance Inns has now applied for a variation of its premises licence to relocate the bar. A notice advertising the move has been posted in the pub window.

Anthony Blundell, head of business development at Provenance Inns, which bought the site in 2021, told the Stray Ferret:

“The application is for moving the bar.

“It is in response to the feedback we’ve received from our guests, since our remodel, to have a much larger bar that our guests can sit or stand at.”

Mr Blundell added the company had also applied for another bar in the upstairs dining room, adding:

“[This will be to] service dinners and make it even more appealing for private parties.”

The Coach and Horses has rebranded as the Sleigh and Reindeers over the festive period.

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Harrogate pub gets into Christmas spirit with festive name-change

A Harrogate pub will be undergoing a seasonal transformation for the next few weeks – and even changing its name. 

The Coach and Horses on West Park will be renamed the Sleigh and Reindeers over the Christmas period.

The new signage at the pub, which is owned by Provenance Inns, is already up, but the official name change will apply from Friday, November 17, and last until the second week of January, when the school Christmas holidays end. 

Anthony Blundell, head of business development at Provenance Inns, told the Stray Ferret: 

“We’re turning the Coach and Horses into Harrogate’s most festive pub. At the Sleigh and Reindeers there’ll be festive ales, mulled wine, mulled cider, egg nog and a festive menu too, so you can have a turkey dinner every day of the week. 

“Hopefully, we’ll create great times for guests and anyone wanting to get into the festive spirit. It’s not everywhere that you’ll be able to have Christmas dinner seven days a week.” 

It’s not the first time the pub has had a temporary change of name. In 2014, it was renamed the Cavendish and Horses when the Tour de France came to Harrogate, in honour of rider Mark Cavendish, whose mother lived in the town.

Provenance Inns owns and runs eight pubs and hotels across North Yorkshire, including the Punch Bowl Inn at Marton cum Grafton, and the West Park Hotel, just a few doors along from the Coach and Horses.

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A relaxing dinner for two overlooking The Stray at the Coach & Horses

This story is sponsored by Provenance Collection.

With a history dating back as far as 1830, the Coach and Horses is a Harrogate institution.

The much-loved traditional pub was bought last year by Provenance Collection, which promised to keep it true to its heritage.

Work to revamp the pub has been extensive. The once central bar has been moved to the back of the ground floor and there is a restaurant upstairs.

It was here, after a warm welcome, that we enjoyed dinner-for-two on a sunny evening overlooking the Stray.

The classic decor is inviting, with dark wooden tables, plush seating and colourful artwork adorning the walls. The large windows frame the outside greenery perfectly and it was lovely to look at the view while sipping a cold glass of rose.

We skipped straight to the mains, however there are plenty of starters to choose from if you are hungry enough, including Doreen’s black pudding scotch egg (£9) and baked camembert (£10.50).

The main dish

With £1 from each sale going to Martin House Children’s Hospice, I chose the Coach & Horses Burger (£16). A tasty, homemade traditional burger, the thick, juicy patty was made with quality wagyu beef and topped with cheese and a zingy relish. It was served with skinny fries and dill pickles, which were covered in a crispy light batter.

My partner went for the aged sirloin steak (£32). Cooked medium rare and seasoned well, it would be easy to enjoy without the sauce, although the peppercorn added extra richness.

The chunky chips were crisp and fluffy on the inside, like good pub chips should be. Other mains include a steak and ale pie, a chicken tikka masala curry (both £16) and beer battered fish and chips (£16).

Leave room for pudding

As a pudding fan, I usually leave room for dessert and on this occasion I was glad I did.

We shared the sticky toffee pudding with miso caramel and vanilla ice cream (£7.50). The miso and caramel was the perfect blend of salty and sweet and the sponge was light and fluffy.

Agreeing to share was a mistake. Other options include vanilla creme brulee (£9) and chocolate mousse (£7).

While change might not be for everyone, the newly-revamped Coach & Horses undoubtedly boasts good quality pub food and a decent selection of cask ales, served in a relaxed and friendly setting.

The Coach and Horses’ famous Sunday night pub quiz has also returned, with all proceeds going to Martin House Children’s Hospice.

A new sandwich menu has been launched for those who want to pop in at lunch time, and it continues to boast some of the best views in Harrogate.

Take advantage of the pub’s latest offer from Mondays to Thursdays where diners can get a free drink – either a beer, house wine or soft drink – with any main course on the à la cart menu.

Sneak Peek: The Coach and Horses, Harrogate

The newly refurbished Coach and Horses on West Park in Harrogate opened its doors for the first time this evening.

The much loved traditional pub was bought last year by Provenance Inns, which promised to keep it true to its heritage.

Work to revamp the pub has been extensive: the once central bar has been moved to the back of the ground floor and there is a restaurant on the first floor. In total the pub can seat up to 100 diners and it employs 30 staff.

Staff prepare for the big opening party tonight.

The upstairs dining space and tables.

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The previous landlord, John Nelson is well-known in the Harrogate area — he was landlord for 33 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.

The new owners want to keep the tradition of raising money for Martin House Hospice. There will be a monthly quiz on Sundays where proceeds will go to the charity and for every burger bought a pound will also be donated.

The Coach and Horses opens to the public tomorrow at 5pm. Normal opening hours are noon to 11pm Monday to Saturday, closing earlier at 10pm on a Sunday.

Crime writing festival heads up busy night of launches in Harrogate

The Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival will begin with its usual flourish this evening, as Harrogate sees a busy night of launches across the town.

Leading crime authors and hundreds of fans will descend on the Old Swan Hotel tonight for Europe’s largest crime writing event, which will see the winner of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year announced.

The festival continues until Sunday with a range of special guest events, panel discussions and dinners.

Meanwhile, the Coach and Horses will have its relaunch night tonight after being taken over by the owners of the neighbouring West Park Hotel, Provenance Inns.

Commercial manager Anthony Blundell previously told the Stray Ferret that the aim was to revamp the bar and kitchen as well as creating upstairs dining space. However, he said the traditional feel of the venue would be maintained, adding:

“We see it as the last traditional pub in Harrogate. We know from our guests how well it was respected.”

The pub will begin welcoming customers again from tomorrow.

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Another venue relaunching today is Fashion House on Swan Road, which opens its doors from 2pm following months of closure.

A soft launch will be held with a limited menu and cocktails, after a redesign inside and a new chef taking charge of the kitchen.

Meanwhile, in the town centre, yoga studio Ebru Evrim will welcome invited guests tonight before beginning to offer its programme of classes to its new James Street home.

The Turkish Baths on Parliament Street is holding an invitation-only launch party tonight following a refurbishment of the historic facilities.

And down the road near Spofforth, Stockeld Park is previewing its new play space. The Playhive, an indoor adventure space for children, will welcome its first visitors from Saturday, with booking available now.

Keep an eye on the Stray Ferret’s website and social media feeds for more on today’s events, including sneak peeks behind the scenes before the doors open.

Harrogate’s Coach & Horses pub set to reopen in early July

Drinkers will be able to finally reacquaint themselves with the Coach & Horses this summer after over two years.

Provenance Inns, which owns West Park Hotel on the same street, bought the pub in October last year.

It’s been closed since May 2020 after the previous landlord John Nelson had his licence revoked for breaching covid rules.

Provenance has been busy revamping the bar and kitchen area and reinstating the corner entrance.

The first floor is also being converted into a restaurant area along with staff accommodation and office space.

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Scaffolding outside the building recently came down ahead of the Coach & Horses’ new era.

The company has designed a new logo for the pub but has promised to respect its long heritage with the refurbishment.

Provenance’s commercial manager Anthony Blundell said there is still work to do but he is hopeful the pub and restaurant will reopen in early July.

He said:

“Everyone is eagerly awaiting the reopening of the Coach and no one is more excited than us to get to know some of the previous patrons and, hopefully, some new ones too.”

Harrogate’s Coach & Horses pub ‘coming back soon’ as plans approved

New signs in the windows of the Coach & Horses pub in Harrogate have indicated it will be reopening in the near future.

On Friday, Harrogate Borough Council approved the new owner’s plans to refurbish the premises.

Provenance Inns, which owns West Park Hotel on the same street, took over the pub in October last year.

It has been closed since May 2020 after the previous landlord John Nelson had his licence revoked for breaching covid rules.

Provenance will revamp the bar and kitchen area and reinstate the corner entrance.

New branding for the Coach & Horses

It will also convert the first floor into a restaurant area along with staff accommodation and office space.

Anthony Blundell, commercial manager at Provenance Inns, told the Stray Ferret that the company wanted to maintain the Coach and Horses as a “traditional pub”.

He said:

“The idea is to refurbish what is already there.

“We see it as the last traditional pub in Harrogate. We know from our guests how well it was respected.”

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Plan submitted to refurbish Harrogate’s Coach and Horses pub

Plans have been lodged to refurbish the Coach and Horses pub in Harrogate.

Provenance Inns, which owns West Park Hotel on the same street, took over the pub in October last year.

The new owners have now submitted plans to revamp the bar and kitchen area and reinstate the corner entrance.

It would also see part of the first floor converted into a restaurant area along with staff accommodation and office space.

Anthony Blundell, commercial manager at Provenance Inns, told the Stray Ferret that the company wanted to maintain the Coach and Horses as a “traditional pub”.

He said:

“The idea is to refurbish what is already there.

“We see it as the last traditional pub in Harrogate. We know from our guests how well it was respected.”

Documents submitted to Harrogate Borough Council say the refurbishment will create up to 26 full time jobs across “a range of skilled and semi skilled occupations”.

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It is unclear when the pub will reopen, however Mr Blundell said the owners could get started on the work as soon as planning permission is granted.

Harrogate Borough Council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.

The Coach and Horses has been closed for 20 months.

Previous landlord John Nelson lost the pub’s licence when police found customers drinking outside and not observing social distancing rules during the weekend of May 30, 2020.

Mr Nelson is well-known in the Harrogate area — he was landlord for 33 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities.