Ripon’s food and drink hotspot may see a new hospitality business arriving in the New Year following the submission of a planning application to North Yorkshire Council.
The application for a change of use would, if approved, see the former offices of Newtons Solicitors at 4 Duck Hill turned into a restaurant and hot food takeaway.
The potential operator is un-named in the application which, if successful, would see the restaurant and takeaway using the ground and upper floor of the building.
The Silva Bells restaurant opened in March
It has been a busy year for property deals in this part of the city, with the Bikemongers off-road cycling retailer relocating last week to 2 Kirkgate, from its former base on Duck Hill and transactions that saw two new hospitality business open.
The Silva Bells opened in March in premises formerly occupied by the Bambudda Asian fusion restaurant at 23-25 Kirkgate and further up the street, The Portly Pig bottleshop and taproom, owned by Adam Coulson, opened in September in a historic building that was previously home to the Oasis florists and, before that, the Ripon Gazette newspaper office.
Main picture: The premises at 4 Duck Hill have been vacant since Newtons Solicitors relocated to Market Place South
Read more:
- New restaurant adds to Ripon’s hospitality offer
- Bottleshop and taproom opens in historic Ripon premises
Sneak peek: Ripon’s newest hospitality venue opens today
The newest addition to Ripon’s hospitality sector opened its doors at 12 noon today (Saturday).
Adam Coulson, owner of the Portly Pig on Kirkgate, invited the Stray Ferret to an eve-of-opening sneak peek to find out what the independent bottleshop and taproom has to offer – and there was plenty to see.
The focus is on serving real ales, craft beers and ciders on tap in bottles and cans, while spirits and wines are also on the drinks menu.
The bottled and canned drinks are principally produced in Yorkshire.
Mr Coulson told the Stray Ferret:
“The majority of the drinks have been sourced from independent breweries, distilleries and wine suppliers based in Yorkshire.
“We’re offering something a bit different that we hope adds to the attraction of Ripon as a city with a great community of independent businesses.”
Dog owners and their dogs are welcome.
The Portly Pig’s historic premises, which have been converted to include a ground floor bar and upstairs seating areas, have seen a variety of uses over two centuries.
Number 5 Kirkgate will be known to many as the former Oasis Florists and those with longer memories will recall it being the offices of the Ripon Gazette newspaper.
A civic society plaque by the front door shows that before then it was a Town (Council) House from 1835 to 1851and then a borough police station with four cells between 1875 and 1887.
Read more:
Independent bottle shop and taproom to open in Ripon
An independent bottle shop and taproom is set to open in the heart of Ripon.
The Portly Pig will operate in a building on Kirkgate that has seen a variety of uses over two centuries.
Number 5 Kirkgate will be known to many as the former Oasis Florists and those with longer memories will recall it being the offices of the Ripon Gazette newspaper.
A Civic Society plaque shows that before then it was a Town (Council) House from 1835 to 1851and then a borough police station with four cells between 1875 and 1887.
The Ripon Civic Society plaque
Now, Adam Coulson is transforming the premises into The Portly Pig Bottleshop and Taproom. He told the Stray Ferret:
“We’re really looking forward to opening at this great location in a building with such a fascinating history.
“We are on target to open in early September and are delighted with the positive responses on social media that we have received since putting an ‘opening soon’ sign in our windows.”
Mr Coulson added:
“Our focus will be on serving real ales, craft beers and ciders, both on tap and in bottles, along with spirits and wines.
“The majority of the drinks will come from local independent breweries, distilleries and wine suppliers.”
Finishing touches being made to the premises will include permanent signage – but where did the name come from?
Mr Coulson explained:
“I was on holiday in Portugal with my wife Katrina and we had just had a delicious meal, when the idea of The Portly Pig came to us. It’s as a name that we hope will catch the eye.”
Read more: