GAVIN AITCHISON visits a York pub “protected” as an important community asset and uncovers an unfortunate twist in the tale

ACTIONS speak louder than words. That’s the crux of it at The Mitre.

Having unwittingly become enveloped in a tornado of rumour, anxiety and unintended consequences, the pub now needs those who sang its praises to put their money where their mouth was and show why they fought for its future in the first place.

This inconspicuous 1960s suburban local, in Shipton Road, became one of the first York pubs to be classified as an “asset of community value”, when city leaders agreed to Rawcliffe Parish Council’s request in July. But the news has not been met with the celebration you might have expected.

Certainly the designation may yet become invaluable, given that the owners Enterprise Inns are hardly averse to shutting and shedding pubs, and given that they very tellingly opposed the order, citing falling beer sales among other things.

York Press:

The Mitre in Shipton Road

But the campaigners jumped the gun in seeking protection when there was no immediate threat, argues the pub’s new manager Simon Brind. While the activists meant well, he says, they sparked a panic that has proved decidedly unhelpful.

“The rumour mill started,” he said. “Everyone asked ‘why do you need a protection order?’ I understand why they got it but I am not convinced it was a good thing for this pub. It got people panicking and people thought it might shut soon. The darts team, pool team and women’s darts team left, and that loses you a lot of business. It caused a lot of harm for the pub. It’s alright the parish council saying to put a community order on it, but they need to come in here.”

Rumours were indeed rife, with talk of supermarkets eyeing this place like they have The Corner House in Clifton, The Saddle in Fulford and The Punch Bowl in The Groves in recent months. But Simon, who briefly ran The Magpie in The Groves before it closed ten years ago and whose mother now runs The Green Tree in Acomb, says he knows of no such plans for The Mitre. And he is determined to woo back the lost trade by turning occasional customers into regulars and persuading those who have overlooked the pub to give it a chance.

To that end, regular live entertainment will continue on Friday nights, there is a quiz on Tuesdays and curry night on Thursdays, all aimed at giving people more reason to come through the doors. The references on the signs outside to Sky Sports and sizzling steaks are out of date, but live football is back on with BT Sport, and Simon plans to add simple pub grub in the new year. Above all, he hopes to re-establish the sports teams, which he says have always been an important element of The Mitre.

“We want to build it back to be a proper community pub, to give something back to the community and make it the place to go in the community if you want to have a meeting or start a team or for forums,” he says.

Simon’s grandparents and uncles had drunk in the pub over the years, and he said he did not want to see it losing money and struggling. “York is losing enough pubs as it is without losing another,” he says. “At one point this pub was making a lot of money for Enterprise and the idea is to get it back that way again.”

As part of the renewed impetus, there will be a community day on December 20, sponsored by the Ings View garage next door and including lots of live entertainment and food. A similar big bash is planned for New Year’s Eve.

Any newcomers will find a simple pub with potential and promise. There are two clear halves to the pub, a lounge area and a busier bar room that includes the pool table, dart board, games machines and the larger of the TVs.

On the bar, from Monday, will be four lagers (Carlsberg, Stella Artois, Carling and Coors), Guinness, Tetley’s and John Smith’s Smooth, and two cask ales: either Black Sheep or Old Peculier at all times, alongside one rotating guest ale, currently Rocking Rudolph, a dark bitter beer brewed by Greene King under the Hardy’s and Hanson’s label.

“I just want to encourage people to come in and give us a chance,” says Simon. “All that the staff and I want is a good local pub; that’s what we are aiming for, and hopefully people will start coming back. If people are saying ‘we want to keep the pub open’ – then use the pub.”

Twitter: @PintsofView