THE OWNER of award-winning gastro-pub The Durham Ox in Crayke, near York, has set up a business to bring other local pubs back to life.

Michael Ibbotson, who is celebrating a successful ten years at The Durham Ox, set up Provenance Inns with Morrisons man and local food retailer Chris Blundell.

The pair will establish a group of “village inns, in villages you would like to live in”, said Michael, who turned the Durham Ox around after buying it from receivers ten years ago.

Michael said they intend to open between five and ten pubs in the next six to seven years, when they find pubs that “feel right”.

“We don’t want to be a pub company in the traditional sense of the word. We want to establish a nice group of North Yorkshire pubs and inns that have their own individual personalities,” he said.

Chris Blundell also owns a farm and market garden in Felixkirk, near Thirsk, which will supply Provenance Inns with homegrown local produce for all its pubs.

On September 3, Provenance Inns will open the Carpenters Arms pub in Felixkirk. It is also refurbishing The Oak Tree in Helperby, which will open in about six month’s time, followed by The Farmer at Brafferton, which is still in the planning process.