Ripon businesses prepare to host theatre festival events

Ripon businesses are preparing to host events across the city as part of the second theatre festival.

Across a five-day period, Ripon Theatre Festival will hold over 50 events, with a variety of pop-up performances, plays and music.

The festival reported audiences of more than 2,500 people at its inaugural event last year. Now, the organisation aims “to build on the incredible first year response” this year.

Fountains Abbey and The Old Deanery are among the larger spaces that will hold performances, while the Market Place, Minster Gardens, and Ripon Spa Gardens will be transformed into festival zones to bring attendees a range of activities, from street theatre to circus acts.

The event aims to cater for a range of ages, with The Little Ripon Bookshop and the Crypt in Ripon Cathedral putting on puppet shows and storytelling.

Katie Scott, festival director, previously told the Stray Ferret:

“A key aim is to make the festival as affordable and accessible as possible with a wide range of free entertainment popping up at locations across the city centre.”

In line with the festival’s aim, pop-events will be free of charge or “pay what you can”. The festival will also include ticketed theatre performances with many taking place in Ripon Arts Hub.

Ms Scott added:

“The festival is also working with charity Ripon Dementia Forward to provide a sensory theatre show brought directly to two local and friendly community spaces.”

The event will take place from June 7 to 11.

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Sneak peek: New owners refurbish The Old Deanery in Ripon

The new owners of The Old Deanery are set to be the first couple to have their wedding at the venue after completing the first phase of a major refurbishment.

It is a new chapter for the Grade II* listed mansion. The venue has sat in the shadow of Ripon Cathedral since it was built in 1625.

Chris Layton and Rebecca Hill, who also own the Galtres Lodge Hotel in York, took on the business in August 2021.

The previous owners closed the business in June 2020 due to coronavirus. That closure came as a major blow for the city with countless memories attached to the building.

Where couples will have their wedding breakfast. Photo: Tim Hardy

So with news of new owners came a lot of interest from locals curious about Chris and Rebecca’s plan for the place.

While they are open-minded about how The Old Deanery will operate in future, they have put the restaurant and hotel side of the business on hold to focus on weddings and events.

The new owners have been busy refurbishing and redecorating the venue since they took it on last summer.

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The Old Deanery will look quite different to how people remember the venue. The couple have brought out the original features of the building where they can and opted for a more neutral colour palette.

A new look for The Old Deanery.

Mr Layton and Ms Hill told the Stray Ferret:

“We do most of the work ourselves so we don’t have to decide on a vision for the place straight away and it evolves naturally. In a way the place tells you what it wants.

“By no means is the renovation over. We are looking at orangeries, oak garages for the drive and a library. All of the things that would have gone with a big stately home.

“We want this to be part of the community. That is why we are opening as more of an events venue than a hotel.”

Lewis Carroll was apparently inspired to write Alice in Wonderland during his time in the garden here.

The first wedding at the new Old Deanery

It is now ready for its first wedding of the new era later this month — which just so happens to be the wedding of Mr Layton and Ms Hill. Rebecca added:

“We have been engaged a while. With a big chunk of coronavirus in the middle you can forget how much time has passed.

“Chris wanted to get married in our own place but our venue in York was too small.

“We only decided before Christmas to get married here so we didn’t have long to plan it but everybody we wanted just happened to be available. It all just fell into place when we found The Old Deanery.”

The Old Deanery in Ripon goes back on the market

The Old Deanery in Ripon has ceased trading earlier than planned after 17 years and gone back on the market.

The hotel, bar and wedding venue was closed because of the lockdown but was not formally due to cease trading until the end of June.

However, the following statement, attributed to ‘the management team’, appeared on its website last week:

“It is with great sadness that we announce The Old Deanery has ceased trading from March 8 due to the negative impacts of coronavirus.

“From Linda, Chris and all the team; we’d like to thank you all for your custom over the years – it’s been our pleasure to welcome you to The Old Deanery.”

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Ripon Cathedral owns the iconic building, which is situated opposite.

Property consultants Sanderson Weatherall has listed the 17th Century Grade II listed building on its website, with the price available on application.

It describes the building as an ’11 bedroom boutique hotel and function venue’.

News of The Old Deanery’s permanent closure on its Facebook page led to expressions of sadness and treasured memories. They included:

“So very sad to see such a special place not make it through this rotten time.”

“Very, very sad news, our little escape from life for a few nights once or twice a year. Had the loveliest staff, always friendly and helpful.”

“Always enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and friendly service – smart but not stuffy.”

 

The Old Deanery set to close in major blow for Ripon

The Old Deanery in Ripon will close next year to become another financial victim of the coronavirus pandemic.

It has been a hotel, bar and wedding venue for the last 17 years just opposite Ripon Cathedral. The manager said it will close at the end of the lease on June 30 2021.

Any bookings before that point will not be affected by the closure. The Old Deanery made the announcement with “deep regret”.

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Chris Brown, general manager at The Old Deanery, said:

“Due to the extreme trading conditions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic and continued restrictions indefinitely affecting our wedding and event trade, the directors have made the difficult decision to cease trading.”

The Ripon Cathedral Chapter will once again take on the 17th Century Grade II listed building when the lease ends next year.

Mr Brown added that his team “would like to thank you all for your support over the years and look forward to seeing you again in the next ten months”.

When The Old Deanery made the announcement lots of customers commented that it was sad news and shared memories of their time there.