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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Masterchef semi-finalist at the helm of Harrogate’s Coach and Horses
This story has been sponsored by the Provenance Collection.
A former Masterchef contestant has been appointed as the new head chef at the Coach & Horses in Harrogate.
Formerly executive chef at Harewood Estate and a semi-finalist of the 2016 MasterChef: The Professionals, Josh Whitehead will head up the kitchen at the pub on the corner of West Park and Tower Street.
His new menu will see seasonal produce sourced from the Provenance’s own kitchen garden, or from carefully selected partners across the region.
Pizza butter chicken kieve with polenta fries and dressed leaves. Photo: Claire McClean Photography
Josh, who will work alongside his best friend, Andy Castle, who was head chef at the Ox Club in Leeds, said:
“I am really excited about the Coach & Horses, with a great place in the history of Harrogate and a promising future, myself and Andy look forward to cooking up delicious British classics using the best possible produce with love and respect.
“Our aim to is cook dishes that are comforting and familiar whilst drawing inspiration from British pubs, exceptional ingredients and classic cookery, with a typical Josh and Andy flair.”
Starting his career washing pots in nearby Wetherby, Josh quickly shifted to front of house at Restaurant Bar & Grill, Harrogate, where he helped the head chef to prep shifts in the kitchen. Biding his time, he was promoted to commis, his first paid chef role.
Croissant and marmalade bread and butter pudding. Photo: Claire McClean Photography
However, it was during his training at Thomas Danby college, Leeds, he got a taste for working with fine dining restaurant Anthony’s.
Many subsequent roles, including Harvey Nichols, The Tetley, Northern Bloc Ice Cream and then the opening of House of Koko, all helped to prepare him for his role.
It was during this time that he also met his best friend, sous chef Andy, while working at the Ox Club.
While working as executive chef at The Harewood Food & Drink Project, he learnt about various aspects of livestock, wild game, vegetables and foraging.
To try the new menu, book a table at the Coach and Horses by calling 01423 789777 or visit www.coachandhorsesharrogate.com.
Harrogate’s historic Coach & Horses pub to reopen this monthA historic Harrogate pub with a history dating as far back as 1830 is set to return this month after a two-year hiatus.
The Coach & Horses, well-known for its traditional charm, Sunday roasts and real ales, will reopen on Friday, July 22.
Provenance Inns, which owns the West Park Hotel on the same street, took over the pub in October last year.
It has been closed since May 2020 after previous landlord John Nelson had his licence revoked for breaching covid rules.
The refurbishment aims to add “a touch of modernity to the pub”, whilst paying homage to its heritage.
The first floor has been transformed into a dining room, which overlooks The Stray.
A gastropub-style menu will feature dishes including Doreen’s black pudding scotch eggs, beer battered fish and triple-cooked beef dripping chips, as well as a traditional Sunday roast.
Read more:
- Plan submitted to refurbish Harrogate’s Coach and Horses pub
- Coach and Horses set to reopen under new ownership
- Harrogate’s Coach & Horses pub ‘coming back soon’ as plans approved
The Coach and Horses burger will see £1 from each sale donated to Martin House children’s hospice, a charity relationship the new owners are keen to foster.
The pub will also offer a selection of pies, while an extensive range of local and international gins will complement a selection of cask ales.
Speaking ahead of the reopening, which will create 30 new jobs, operations manager Chris Cartledge said:
‘’As one of just a handful of Harrogate’s oldest surviving traditional pubs, it’s safe to say that anticipation for the return of the Coach & Horses has been high.
“We’re pleased to say that meticulous care and attention to detail has been taken to ensure the Coach is subtly modernised, whilst restoring original features, where possible, to their best.’
“The new first-floor dining room is the perfect spot to enjoy our hearty and traditional menu, whilst taking in the views of The Stray.
“Along with our fresh food and vast drinks range, we will also be carrying on the tradition of a regular quiz night and of course raffles, all in aid of local charities which we are keen to continue to support.
“We can’t wait to welcome our first guests into Harrogate’s original local pub.”
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.”
Read more:
- Plan submitted to refurbish Harrogate’s Coach and Horses pub
- Coach and Horses set to reopen under new ownership