Could you run this pub?
Are you a talented operator with a passion for food and a thirst for a promising, new business opportunity? If so the Dawnay Arms could be your perfect fit.
Pub and location
Nestled in the heart of a vibrant North Yorkshire village, Shipton by Beningbrough is perfectly situated to make your business thrive.
As you enter, there’s a welcoming bar servery, where locals gather and stories flow as freely as the ale. To your right, a bustling restaurant area awaits, perfect for sharing your culinary creativity. To the left, a cosy, intimate dining space offers a quieter retreat for couples and small groups. And tucked away at the back? A snug lounge where familiar faces return day after day, making it the unofficial living room of the village.
Step outside and discover the crown jewel: a beautifully appointed beer garden. With space for alfresco dining, summer drinks, and larger community events, this garden is ripe for transformation into a seasonal hotspot. Think live music, garden feasts, and family-friendly festivals.
The pub already enjoys a stellar reputation for food, with Sunday Lunch being a weekly pilgrimage for locals and visitors alike. With your vision and energy, there’s room to elevate the menu, expand offerings, and turn this into a destination for food lovers from Thirsk to York.
Positioned on the A19, just six miles from the historic city of York and a stone’s throw from the market town of Thirsk, the pub benefits from excellent visibility and access. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and a cluster of caravan parks, it draws steady footfall, especially in the warmer months when tourists and day-trippers are eager for a pint and a plate.

Ideal Publican
We’re looking for an experienced food operator to bring the Dawnay Arms to life.
Whether you’re a dynamic duo or a passionate solo publican, this is a fantastic opportunity to make your mark on a much-loved local.
If you’re a duo, one of you will take charge of the kitchen crafting simple, delicious, home-cooked meals that offer great value and keep guests coming back. You’ll love food, understand what locals want, and know how to build a menu that works. The other will be the face of the pub, welcoming guests, building relationships, and creating a warm, friendly atmosphere. You’ll have a natural flair for hospitality and know how to make every visitor feel at home.
If you’re a single operator, you’ll be hands-on and full of energy, leading from the front and building a strong team around you. You’ll understand the importance of great food, great service, and great community spirit and know how to bring it all together.
If you’re enthusiastic about people, proud of your craft, and ready to lead a pub that’s central to town life, this could be the perfect fit.
Private accommodation
This excellent business opportunity comes with two bedrooms, a private kitchen, and a lounge.
Accommodation photos are in the gallery below
About the Agreement
At Punch, we support talented, ambitious entrepreneurs who want to run brilliant pubs at the heart of their communities. That’s why our agreements are designed to be flexible, supportive and built around your vision.
Our Flexible Tenancy gives you the freedom to run your own pub with confidence. A tied agreement of up to five years, where you’ll benefit from the drink products available to Punch which also offers flexible notice periods. We offer flexible deposits, tie‑release options, and pricing structures to help you shape your business in a way that works for you.
Why Choose Punch?
When you partner with Punch, you’ll have an entire support system behind you, including:
- A forward thinking pub company, recognised nationally with multiple industry awards including winners of the Publican Awards 2022 & 2024!
- Potential investment to unlock your pub’s full potential
- Industry leading training through our award winning Academy, complete with state of the art kitchens, bars and our immersive Progress with Punch training programme.
- Access to our powerful online platform, the Punch Buying Club, where you can order stock and find resources to help you run your pub successfully.
- Ongoing coaching from expert Operations Managers and specialist support teams.
- Innovative digital learning through THIRST, our gamified online training app, offering compliance training through to driving sales training.
Chat to a recruitment advisor now about this pub business opportunity.
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