Popular village pub rises from the ashes to reopen this monthTiger Inn at Coneythorpe to be auctionedVillage near Knaresborough left in dark over fire-damaged pub’s future

Uncertainty surrounds the future of a Harrogate district village pub which suffered its second fire in three years over the summer. 

The Tiger Inn in Coneythorpe, north of Knaresborough, is believed not to have been renovated since the blaze and its tenants, Ian and Barbara Gill, are understood to have left the property permanently.

The pub’s phone number directs customers to its website, which features a pop-up box stating: “Due to an extensive fire in our kitchens, we are not open at this time”. That redirects visitors to a Facebook link that no longer works. 

The property lies empty, but according to sources in the village, cleaners have been in and the pub is checked on periodically.

When the Stray Ferret visited this week to try to find out what was happening, one person, who asked not to be named, said:

“No-one in the village knows what’s going on. Nobody’s told us anything. It’s such a shame, because the pub’s the hub of the village and we miss it, especially coming up to Christmas.”

It is not known why the tenants have left. Barbara Gill is the sole director of MGG Developments Co Ltd, which trades as The Tiger Inn, and the company’s latest accounts filed on June 15, 2023, paint a picture of a business with a future.

It is referred to as a going concern “despite suffering a fire to the business premises during the previous year which caused extensive damage”. It continues: 

“This is fully subjected to an insurance claim which is not expected to have any long-term financial implications to the company.”

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Jon West, a Coneythorpe resident who sits on Arkendale, Coneythorpe and Clareton Parish Council, told the Stray Ferret: 

“The only fact I can share with you is that the Tiger Inn is shut and for an unknown period. All other information I have is hearsay or guesswork which is not mine to share.”

The Tiger Inn suffered its first fire in November 2020, just four months after reopening from the national covid lockdown. The blaze started in the kitchen and lasted for six hours, causing widespread damage.

It reopened after renovation and refurbishment in October 2021, and the Gills marked the occasion by presenting a cheque for £5,000 to the Fire Fighters Charity in thanks for the efforts of the fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb who put out the blaze.

But less than a year later, firefighters were again called to the pub, after an overheating ice machine caused a second devastating fire.

Developer plans 25 lodge holiday park near Knaresborough

A developer has submitted plans for a new 25 lodge holiday park near Knaresborough.

The proposal has been tabled by AMS Planning on behalf of Mr Duffield for land at Shortsill Lane at Coneythorpe, known as Spring Bank Farm.

It would see 25 holiday lodges built at the site, as well as a reception.

The proposed lodges would be built around two ponds, which the developer said would serve as a haven for wildlife and enhance “the character of the site”.

It added that the site would also help the local economy and increase accommodation in a rural area.

In a planning statement to North Yorkshire Council, the developer said:

“Spring Bank Farm provides a rare opportunity to introduce an employment generating use without detriment to the key characteristics of the districts picturesque countryside. 

“The subject proposal will help remediate the current dearth in the supply of rural outdoor accommodations.”

North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.

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Overheating ice machine caused fire in village pub near Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has said a fire at a village pub near Knaresborough this morning was caused by an overheating ice machine.

The Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe looks set to be closed for several weeks after suffering what was its second fire in three years.

Firefighters were summoned at 5.45am this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said in a statement:

“A number of crews attended and found a fire which had started in the kitchen and spread to the bar, toilets and a cloak room.

“Crews used breathing apparatus, four hose reel jets, positive pressure ventilation fans and thermal imaging cameras.

“Everyone was out of the property on the arrival of crews, one person was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation but did not require hospital treatment. The cause of the fire is believed to be an overheating ice machine.”

In a Facebook post, the Tiger Inn said that, while most of the pub building was fine, the kitchen was “not quite as fortunate”.

It added:

“We cannot thank the fire service and paramedics enough for their swift response and incredibly professional manner with which they dealt with the situation.

“The majority of the pub is also fine but the kitchen was not quite as fortunate. In light of this The Tiger will not be open for the next few weeks.”

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In November 2020, fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling a blaze at the pub.

The pub underwent 11 months of refurbishment before it reopened in October the following year.

 

Village pub near Knaresborough suffers second fire in three years

A village pub near Knaresborough has suffered a second fire in less than three years.

Firefighters were called to the Tiger Inn at Coneythorpe at 6am this morning.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has yet to provide any details of the incident but eye witnesses have told the Stray Ferret nobody is believed to have been injured.

The back of the pub is believed to have been most badly damaged.

The Harrogate Bus Company tweeted at 8.24am to say the 21 bus had been diverted because of the incident.

However, a villager said all roads had now reopened but firefighters remained at the scene.

The pub is not expected to be open today.

We will provide more details when they are available.

Previous fire

Today’s fire appears to be far less devastating than the one that gutted the Tiger Inn in November 2020.

Fire crews from Harrogate, Knaresborough and Acomb spent six hours battling the blaze, and the pub underwent a major refurbishment before reopening 11 months later.

Firefighters tackle the blaze at the Tiger Inn, Coneythorpe, back in November.

Firefighters tackling the blaze at the Tiger Inn in 2020.

When the pub reopened, owners Ian and Barbara Gill donated £5,000 to the Firefighter’s Charity as a thank-you.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said at the time of the blaze that fire broke out in the pub’s kitchen and the cause was believed to be accidental.

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Council refuses 18 holiday cabins in woodland near Knaresborough

North Yorkshire Council has refused a plan to build 18 holiday cabins in a woodland near Knaresborough.

The Hargreaves family submitted plans this year for the tourism business, which included wooden shepherds huts, cabins and pods nestled within a woodland just outside the village of Coneythorpe.

Documents submitted by the applicants said they wanted to create a “tranquil overnight accommodation scheme in a unique location” that would be a base for tourists to explore North Yorkshire.

A new footpath was also proposed to the village which it said would increase footfall to the Tiger Inn pub and support the social and economic wellbeing of Coneythorpe.

The plans received 14 comments with one in support and 13 objecting.

But with strict planning laws in the countryside, the council refused the plans this week saying the site is outside the development limits of the village and the proposal does not demonstrate that the scheme requires a rural location.

Planning officer Trevor Watson wrote that the huts would not be accessible to existing local services, public facilities or tourist attractions and the proposal would not promote sustainable travel.

There were also concerns about a loss of trees in the woodland with the applicants not proposing to replant them on a two-for-one basis.

Mr Watson wrote:

“The cumulative effect of the proposed cabins, pods, shepherd huts, office, accesses and car park together with the change in activity and associated tourism paraphernalia would result in a visually intrusive and detrimental change to the agricultural and woodland character of the site.

“The proposal would fail to protect, enhance and restore the landscape character of the site and would result in substantial harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area. There are no public benefits associated with the proposal that would outweigh the harm.”

The applicants can appeal the decision.

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Five homes planned for barn conversion near Knaresborough

Plans have been submitted to turn an agricultural building in Coneythorpe into five two-bedroom homes.

The proposals for Spring Bank Farm on Shortsill Lane would include creating a “physical buffer” between the barn and the surrounding agricultural land and buildings.

The barn, currently used for storage, is made from a steel frame and block work. The application said the conversion would have vertical cedar wood cladding and aluminium window frames.

The external block work base would be retained, the application said, “ensuring the building retains its utilitarian, agricultural aesthetic as constructed and does not introduce alien or inappropriate elements to its rural surroundings”.

The barn would be converted to a terrace of five homes. Each would have an open plan living, dining and kitchen space on the ground floor, along with a bedroom and bathroom.

Each first floor would include a bedroom with en suite and dressing area, as well as a mezzanine overlooking the living area below.

The application said:

“The site benefits from an established [public right of way] which crosses the farm before connecting to Coneythorpe, approximately [500 metres] to the north of the subject building.

“The footway provides future residents with pedestrian access to the local public transport network with connections from Coneythorpe to Knaresborough, Harrogate, Boroughbridge and the surrounding villages and smaller towns.”

The plans have been submitted to Harrogate Borough Council, but will be decided by North Yorkshire Council after it comes into effect next Saturday.

To view or comment on the application, visit the planning pages of the Harrogate Borough Council website and use reference 23/00859/PBR.

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Coneythorpe pub owner criticises lengthy roadworks as pub set to close

The owner of a Coneythorpe pub has criticised a set of month long roadworks as the “final kick we didn’t need”.

The Tiger Inn will close for five weeks in the new year while utility company Power On installs power cables for a new development park comprising industrial and commercial units in the area.

The scheme is expected to last six months and involve five weeks of road closures, starting on January 9, in Flaxby and Coneythorpe.

It is the latest disruption to hit the pub, which has already struggled through covid and a fire in November 2020.

Barbara Gill, who owns the Tiger Inn, said the pub was already dealing with the cost of living crisis – which has seen its energy bills increase to more than £4,000.

She said:

“These road works are the final kick we didn’t need.”

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Ms. Gill told The Stray Ferret that pubs have had to learn how to cope with these national crises such as the pandemic and the now cost-of-living crisis.

She said:

“They’ve had to adapt rapidly.”

Ms Gill added that staff at The Tiger inn will receive full pay to support them while the pub is closed.

However, businesses in the area including the Tiger Inn have not been compensated for the road works.

‘Extensive consultation’

Power On said in a statement it had conducted “extensive consultation” to minimise disruption.

Work will start on York Road in Flaxby and continue onto Shortsill Lane and Moor Lane. It will take place from January 9 to 28 before recommencing on February 22 until March 14.

The company said in a statement that it was “committed to delivering essential works whilst ensuring minimal disruption to local residence and the community”. It added:

“We have been able to avoid further closures by allowing traffic to flow subject to reduced weight limits.  Alternative transport for schools will be provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

“We have been working with the local parish council who have assisted in coordinating the works.  Road closure signs will include alternate routes to any local businesses affected with advanced warning signs posted in late December.

“The works are to be completed during the winter months, to minimise impact.  At the request of the Tiger Inn and the parish council, it was agreed that work will be suspended during potentially busier periods such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and Easter weekend.”

Ms. Gill is hopeful the pub will be able to get back on its feet with the support of their loyal customers around Mother’s Day.

She added:

“We need people to support us when we reopen.”

The Tiger Inn is planning to reopen on February 10.

Long-term roadworks to affect villages near Knaresborough

Roadworks are to cause major disruption to two villages near Knaresborough for several weeks at the start of next year.

Utilities company Power On is to install power cables for a 600,000 square feet business park near Flaxby called Harrogate 47 close to junction 47 of the A1(M). The park could support 2,000 jobs.

The project is expected to last six months and involve five weeks of road closures, starting on January 9, in Flaxby and Coneythorpe.

Power On said in a statement it had conducted “extensive consultation” to minimise disruption.

Work will start on York Road in Flaxby and continue onto Shortsill Lane and Moor Lane. It will take place from January 9 to 28 before recommencing on February 22 until March 14.

Diversions will be in place to minimise disruption.

Power On said in a statement it was “committed to delivering essential works whilst ensuring minimal disruption to local residence and the community”. It added:

“We have been able to avoid further closures by allowing traffic to flow subject to reduced weight limits.  Alternative transport for schools will be provided by North Yorkshire County Council.

“We have been working with the local parish council who have assisted in coordinating the works.  Road closure signs will include alternate routes to any local businesses affected with advanced warning signs posted in late December.

“The works are to be completed during the winter months, to minimise impact.  At the request of the Tiger Inn and the parish council, it was agreed that work will be suspended during potentially busier periods such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, and Easter weekend.”

The company added residents affected by the road closures “will be able to access via the diversion routes which have been previously agreed and signposted”.

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