The government has rejected plans to convert a Kirkby Malzeard pub into a home.

David Fielder, who owns the former Henry Jenkins pub, challenged a Harrogate Borough Council decision to refuse the plan back in May last year.

The authority said “insufficient marketing” had been carried out to demonstrate that “in the absence of any use as a public house there is no alternative community use for which the property may be suitable”.

Mr Fielder challenged the decision and appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

However, a government planning inspector has dismissed the appeal and ruled in favour of the council.

David Wyborn, who oversaw the appeal, said in a decision notice that he felt all options for the pub had not been “fully explored”.

He said:

“Overall, while there are some concerns with the details for the community pub project which I have highlighted above, I consider that the plans of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub to open a community pub have a reasonable prospect of succeeding and being viable.

“There can be no certainty on this matter at this stage and I understand the objections and criticisms from the appellant who has wide experience on these matters. Nevertheless, in particular, in the absence of an independent valuation to assist with an offer and potential purchase, and with the information, analysis and comments I have examined above, I do not consider that the policy requirements in criterion C of Policy HP8 of the Local Plan have been met.

“Specifically, it has not been clearly demonstrated that there is no reasonable prospect of the existing public house use continuing on a viable basis and all options for continuing that use have not been fully explored.”

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The move is the latest turn in the ongoing saga over the pub and efforts from local campaigners to bring it back into community use.

The Henry Jenkins, which is named after a man that legend states lived to be 169-years-old, is one of the oldest inns in the Harrogate district. It closed in 2011.

Richard Sadler, chair of the Henry Jenkins Community Pub group, said:

“We’re pleased that the inspector has taken the right decision and recognised that we are a genuine and credible community group- and that we should be given the chance to breathe new life into this much-loved local asset.

“We believe a revived Henry Jenkins could boost to our local economy, attract more visitors and transform the whole feel and atmosphere of the village.

“Harrogate council rightly has policies to protect facilities in rural areas and with our village expanding fast, the need for a wider range of services is greater than ever.”

Residents in Skelton-on-Ure are renewing efforts to raise £250,000 to buy their village pub.

The Black Lion, on Skelton Lane close to Newby Hall, between Boroughbridge and Ripon, was bought in December 2019 by Admiral Taverns.

However since then it has stood derelict, leaving locals questioning its future.

After the pub was put up for sale, residents called on people to pledge to buy a share in the pub in order to raise funds to buy it and revitalise it.

The pub was recently listed as an asset of community value by Harrogate Borough Council, which gives the group a six-month window to raise cash.

Now, residents have renewed efforts as they warn the “clock is ticking” on the chance to save the pub.

Sandy Delf, one of the residents involved in the Black Lion Community Hub and Pub group, said:

“So far the value of shares and promises in kind to help is in the region of £140,000. With government matched funding this would at present double monies to around £275,000.

“But the project still needs more funds. The community group are appealing for more pledges.”

The Black Lion pictured prior to its closure.

The group, which has received support from rural community charity the Plunkett Foundation, aims to raise £250,000 in order to access government match funding as part of the community ownership fund.

Shares in the pub cost £250 each and are open to people and businesses to submit an expression of interest.

For more information on how to pledge a share in the pub, visit the Black Lion Community Hub and Pub website here.

Read more:

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• Skelton on Ure residents plead with owners to save ‘eyesore’ pub

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.

Residents in Sharow have called for a local pub to be reinstated following a council decision to reject plans for it to be turned into a home.

The Half Moon Inn pub on Sharow Lane was opened in 1822 but closed down back in 2016.

Since then, a long running saga has unfolded over how best to put the building to use.

Harrogate Borough Council turned down latest plans by owner Mark Fitton to convert the pub into a house last month.

The Half Moon Inn at Sharow.

Now, residents are calling for the public house to be reinstated.

A spokesperson for the Half Moon Inn Pub Group, which campaigns to reopen the facility, said:

“Local residents are now calling for the Half Moon’s reinstatement, this time as a community hub, where food, drinks, cultural and community events can take place, free wifi can be provided, as well as a small shop that offers daily necessities so local residents don’t need to drive to Ripon.”

Asset of community value challenge

The move comes as the borough council awarded the pub asset of community status in November following a campaign by local residents and the parish council.

However, Mark Fitton, the owner of the pub has challenged the council’s decision and described it as “flawed”.

Read more:

• Sharow Parish Council continues village pub fight

• Plan resubmitted to convert Sharow pub into house

Mr Fitton said no attempt has been made to reopen the pub as a community facility, despite the building being available.

In a letter to the borough council, he said:

“The Half Moon Inn has been openly available for a community take-over for five of the past seven years. 

“During all of that time, no proposal has been put forward.”

Mr Fitton called for a review of the decision.

In a letter to Mr Fitton, which has been seen by the Stray Ferret, the council confirmed that it expected to complete a review by January 29, 2023.

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.

The Nelson Inn has, for years, been a haven for people travelling between Harrogate and Skipton on the A59.

The pub has undergone several changes of ownership in recent years. But now, after a £1m spruce up in the wake of its summer acquisition by Brunning & Price, it is set to reopen.

Two hundred people have been invited to drinks and nibbles tonight. After another invitation-only event to trial the food tomorrow, the pub on the edge of Killinghall will open to the public at 5pm on Wednesday.

It will serve drinks from 11.30am daily and begin offering freshly-cooked food at noon, right through until 9pm Monday to Thursday, 9.30pm on Friday and Saturday and 8pm on Sundays.

With 156 seats inside and 60 outside, it is another chapter in the long history of this deceptively spacious pub.

Landlady Sam Aston

Landlady Sam Aston, who was previously employed by Greene King in the Isle of Man, has taken charge and head chef Stuart Russell is running the kitchen.

The bar serves a wide range of drinks brewed locally, by companies including Roosters, Turning Point and the Harrogate Brewing Company.

Ms Aston says the building was originally built as a house in 1776 and is believed to be one of many that adopted the Nelson name after the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

The cosy interior

It is the 82nd pub in the upmarket range belonging to Brunning & Price. Although the layout hasn’t changed a great deal, the refurbishment has given it a cosy and welcoming feel.

The ground floor is dog-friendly and there are two private dining areas. Roaring fires, events such as gin-tasting and afternoon teas are also part of the mix, although the teas aren’t available yet.

The business has created about 30 jobs but the company still hopes to recruit about 10 more staff.

A Harrogate pub was evacuated late this afternoon after fire broke out in the kitchen.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service received two calls from the pub at 5.07pm today saying there was a fire in the kitchen.

The emergency service, which has not said which pub was involved, tweeted this evening:

“The venue had been evacuated and the fire had been extinguished using a fire blanket prior to our arrival but we ensured the area was safe.”

Less than an hour later, just before 6pm, fire crews were. also called to reports of six people stuck in a lift in Harrogate.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted at 6.18pm that “our crews are assisting with this”.

November 5 is one of the busiest nights of the year for firefighters.

The emergency service tweeted:

“We hope you are all enjoying yourselves this bonfire night but stay safe.”

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An application to extend drinking hours at the Sawley Arms near Ripon will be decided by the council next week.

The gastro pub has applied for a licence for late-night drinking until 1am, seven days a week.

As part of the application, the pub said it will ensure accompanied children are seated away from other guests, and that staff will be on site at all times. It also said there are 16 CCTV cameras recording constantly in order to prevent crime and disorder.

The application had originally requested the licence for both the bar and the gardens, but environmental health officer Gemma Demaline said that was likely to cause disturbance to nearby residents in Sawley.

Responding for the Sawley Arms, Steve Harryman said:

“This will be predominantly to allow us to serve our guests for a bit longer.

“We are a quiet country pub with the gardens only usable in the summer months and our current licence allows us to use them up until 11pm.

“No noise complaints in our nine-year trading period.”

Mr Harryman then offered to keep the licence for the gardens until 11pm and extend the hours inside only. He said staff would ask guests to move inside at 11pm and signs would be put up asking them to leave the pub “quickly and quietly”.

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He added:

“This is most likely to be hotel guests walking to the rear of the pub to their hotel rooms, no traffic movements.

“We also have night porters on site to ensure noise levels are kept to a minimum, for the benefit of our neighbours and our other hotel guests.”

An objection to the proposal was submitted by David Taylor, clerk to Grantley and Sawley Parish Council, saying the council had “grave concerns”. He said:

“The residents of the village are very likely to be disturbed by vehicles leaving the site at times that would extend beyond 1am.

“Although 1am is the requested extended time, there would be ‘drinking up time’ and staff leaving the premises, therefore it would be nearer to 2am when the last cars leave the site.

“this would present a very real disturbance to the many residents leaving in close proximity to the Sawley Arms.”

The application will be considered by Harrogate Borough Council’s licensing committee next Friday, October 28.

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.

A popular village pub near Knaresborough has been put on the market for the first time in almost three decades.

The freehold of The Malt Shovel at Brearton has been listed for sale on property website RightMove at £550,000.

Owners Charlotte and Les Mitchell have decided to sell up after 28 years, having leased the pub for the last 18 years before retiring to Cumbria in 2015. Ms Mitchell said:

“When Les and I moved from the Scottish Highlands with our young children, we chose The Malt Shovel because of its prime setting in a beautiful village, within the aptly named ‘golden triangle’ between Harrogate, York and North Leeds.

“We fell in love with the sizeable and atmospheric, yet always welcoming, bar and dining areas and the four-bedroom apartment upstairs was perfect for our family. In fact, Brearton and The Malt Shovel ticked all the boxes.

“That was back in 1994 and 28 years later that has not been altered. It is still a superb village to live and work in and the catchment area remains affluent, popular and aspirational.

“The current lease is coming to an end, and aged 74 and 62, we think it’s time to pass this iconic building and business on to a new enthusiastic owner who can take it forward.”

The leasehold of the pub was last sold in 2017 for £40,000.

The property is now being marketed by Christie & Co, including the four-bedroom flat, which the company said gave it “potential to become a residential dwelling” or for letting accommodation.

The particulars describe the pub as “character-filled” but “neither listed nor an asset of community value”. The turnover is listed as £467,000, with an annual rental income of £38,000 or 11% of turnover from the current tenants who plan to continue to run the pub until a sale completes.

The pub has 65 covers inside and 35 outside, with parking for 15 cars. Christie & Co said it is currently fully booked for Christmas parties and there was potential to grow trade significantly outside the current opening hours of 12-3pm and 6-9pm Wednesday to Saturday, and noon until 6pm on Sunday, during which it is “trading exceptionally”.

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The company highlighted the pub’s strong rating on TripAdvisor as well as its position in “one of the most desirable villages in North Yorkshire”.

Alex Rex, senior business agent in Christie & Co’s Pubs & Restaurants team, is handling the sale. He said:

“The sale of The Malt Shovel in Brearton offers an exciting opportunity for a new owner to carry on a highly reputable hospitality business or alternatively, acquire a great piece of real estate with potential for multiple uses, in a highly desirable village.

“There is a real shortage of good quality freehold, free of tie, properties on the market in North Yorkshire currently and the business is offered for a fantastic price, so we don’t expect it to be on the market for long.”