“A Warm Welcome Back” - The Black Lion Returns to Skelton-on-Ure withFood, Friends and Community at Heart, Skelton-on-Ure, North Yorkshire.

After six long years, the heart of Skelton-on-Ure is beating again. On Friday 14th November 2025, The Black Lion - the village’s historic pub - will finally reopen its doors. This time, it’s not just a pub: it’s a thriving community space, a local restaurant, and a home for laughter, learning, and connection.

Thanks to a determined group of local residents and volunteers, The Black Lion has been saved from dereliction and brought into community ownership. Following years of campaigning, fundraising, and careful restoration, the much-loved 200-year-old building

has been transformed - ready to welcome locals, families, visitors and friends back inside.

A Pub, A Restaurant, A Farm Shop, A Home from Home

Under the care of new tenants Tadgh Barry (pronounced ‘Tyg’) and Mary Benson, The Black Lion will offer:

A welcoming restaurant serving fresh, locally sourced dishes Sunday roasts just like they used to be - generous, comforting and cooked with care. A menu that balances village pub favourites with exciting seasonal specials. Cosy corners for a quiet pint, family lunches, and special celebrations alike. A farm shop stocked with locally sourced everyday essentials and gifts.

Tadgh, who hails from Ireland, brings a touch of Celtic warmth and years of experience in community pubs and quality kitchens. Mary, a talented fashion designer by trade, adds creativity, flair, and an eye for beautiful detail - from the interior touches to the

presentation on the plate.

Beyond the Bar – A True Village Hub

The pub is now proudly owned by the Skelton-on-Ure Pub & Hub Ltd, a Community Benefit Society formed by locals to buy and restore the building. Their vision reaches beyond good beer (though there’ll be plenty of that too).

In the coming months, The Black Lion will host:

• Workshops and craft sessions in the new community café space

• Pub quizzes, games nights and themed evenings

• Book clubs, meet ups, and other community groups

• Space for small business pop-ups and local makers to share their work

• A café offering coffee, cakes and a friendly place to meet during the day

• A farm shop offering locally sourced produce, bulk market supplies and gifts.

There’s even a beautifully restored sunken beer garden, uncovered during renovations — now completely transformed by community volunteers. The garden now features vibrant planted borders, native pollinator-friendly flowers, and even a mini nature reserve — a

peaceful retreat and a celebration of local biodiversity. Next year will see festivals and outdoor workshops.

Just behind the garden, visitors will also find a small campsite with five hardstanding pitches for caravans or motorhomes - perfect for travellers exploring the Dales, Newby Hall, or nearby Ripon. And looking ahead to 2026, the neighbouring farm shop will be

expanding, offering even more local produce, artisan goods, and everyday essentials.

A Labour of Love

The journey hasn’t been easy. The pub was closed in 2019 and left empty. The roof leaked, the heating failed, and the building’s spirit faded. But the village fought back.

With help from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund, more than £240,000 was raised through community shares, grants and donations. Volunteers restored original brickwork, rewired and re-plumbed, sanded floors, and painted every corner. Together,

they built more than a pub - they rebuilt community.

Grand Reopening - Friday 14th November

Everyone is invited to The Black Lion’s grand reopening on Friday 14th November.

The evening will include:

• Live music

• New food menu

• Tours of the pub, restaurant and café spaces

• A chance to meet the team and see what’s coming up

• And of course, a well-earned toast to the future

“This isn’t just a reopening - it’s a homecoming” says a member of the community trust. “We’ve brought our pub back to life - and we’re so proud to share it with everyone.”

Visit Us

The Black Lion, Skelton-on-Ure, Ripon, HG4 5AJ - (Just 1 mile from Newby Hall and Gardens)

www.theblacklionskelton.com