HRH Group wins consent to open The Fat Badger York, High Petergate

The Lamb and Lion, set within two grade II listed buildings partially built into York's city walls at 2-4 High Petergate, is to become the Fat Badger York.

City of City Council has approved a planning application for the venture next to Bootham Bar, which was lodged by the HRH Group, which also owns the Guy Fawkes Inn on the same street, and Clementine’s Hotel.

The pub is not set to change ownership.

The owners are currently recruiting for staff and have roles available in the bar, restaurant and housekeeping. As business demands increase, they will continue to increase staff numbers, said a spokesman.

Simon Cotton, group managing director of HRH Group, said: “Now that we have been granted permission from York council to open, we are looking forward to welcoming locals and tourists in the New Year. 

“We have invested £1 million into the renovation and we hope the locals make the most of what the venue has to offer, including a secret gin garden within the famous city walls. 

"The Fat Badger York is the latest renovation project in our ever-expanding HRH group portfolio. The very first Fat Badger opened in 2010 in Harrogate and has been a firm favourite with locals and tourists ever since.

"We are very much hoping to replicate this success and popularity in York.”  

The Fat Badger York will offer a range of food and drink.

The team behind it say people should expect modern British pub-grub utilising fresh, local, seasonal produce.

The Fat Badger York will also be home to York’s 'secret gin garden', a large beer garden just inside the historic walls and views of York Minster.

The restaurant is led by new head chef David Cutcliffe, who will be creating seasonal menus using local produce, with the Harrogate Fat Badger's Badger Burger on the menu - a homemade steak burger, with Swiss cheese, smokey chipotle and skinny fries.

A glace at the Harrogate venue's menu, as a taster of what to expect, shows a selection of small plates, or starters, including fennel crumbed monkfish scampi, with harissa mayo and gremolate (£8.95), as well as a selection of steaks, notably the chateaubriand (for two), with hand-cut chips & classic grill garnish at £59.

Diners there can also choose from eight-hour ox cheek, with red wine jus, horseradish mash & roasted roots, or a lightly curried monkfish, in a mussel, leek and potato broth, or chickpea, squash and coconut curry. 

The venue is a blend of Yorkshire heritage, Roman history and British classic style.

The decor includes materials of wood and leather, with Badger brand style artwork.

This is the first of the Badger venues to have bedrooms, which offer views of the city walls or garden and includes a range of styles, from four posters bedrooms to a loft suite.

The pub front has also been spruced up ready to welcome guests with a new colour scheme complimenting the new Fat Badger branding.

The two grade II-listed buildings are believed to have previously been a house and a shop, dating back to 1840, and another building constructed in 1782, that was the Bootham Bar Hotel for many years.

The HRH Group has a portfolio of four-star hotels, inns, AA restaurants and traditional British pubs.

The group consists of seven properties within North Yorkshire including Clementine's Town House Hotel and The Guy Fawkes Inn, both in York, as well as the White Hart Hotel, the Yorkshire Hotel, and The Pickled Sprout Restaurant and Bar, all in Harrogate, and the Black Horse Inn, Kirkby Fleetham.