The Bay Horse Inn pub in Pickering has reopened its doors following a major £400k investment with leading pub company Punch Pubs & Co.
Newly married couple, Gareth and Jamie Furness have taken the reins after discovering the pub on a road trip. Gareth said: “When we heard a pub in Pickering may be available under Punch’s Management Partnership scheme, our instincts were to go for it, and we set off on a road trip to visit the pub. As soon as we stepped inside, we both just looked at each other and said yes, it just felt right for us.
“We have always had a fondness of North Yorkshire and have been many times on holiday in our touring caravan, mostly to Whitby. We appreciated all the traditional features of the building as well as some slightly more modern additions, we liked that there was a snug area and then a larger bar area at the rear of the building. We were also drawn to the large beer garden and the amazing potential it could bring.”
The pub has been sympathetically refurbished this summer, and most of the traditional and historical features have been maintained. The pub has a fresh vibrant look while still feeling old and charming.
Gareth believes the investment is already bearing fruit. He said: “We are seeing more locals returning to the pub, faces that haven’t been seen here for many years and we are seeing them on a regular basis, whether that be for food, drinks or to enjoy the beer garden. They all comment on how amazing the pub now looks and feels and what great value the food is. The refurb has really put the Bay Horse Inn back on the map and firmly at the heart of the Pickering community.”
Tony Iles, Operations Manager at Punch Pubs & Co. commented: “This is a wonderful pub in Pickering and I’m delighted Gareth and Jamie have taken over. They have experience in running a community focussed pub and I’m confident they’ll put their unique stamp on the place.”
The couple, who previously owned a pub in Liverpool, have grand plans for The Bay Horse Inn. Jamie said: “Week by week as we find our feet we are introducing new things. We have already brought Friday night karaoke back and it has been a massive hit with the locals, and the pub has never been so busy. We are introducing the Great British Quiz, a league pool team, league darts team.
“Our aim is to be a community hub where we offer something for everyone including knit and natter groups, cake and sip classes and more. We are starting a food bank collection, and we will be holding fun days and charity days to raise funds for the charities which matter most to our locals.”
More information about The Bay Horse Inn pub can be found on its website and Facebook page.