A POPULAR York family-friendly pub and carvery is to be reborn as a ranch-style restaurant inspired by America's 'Deep South'.

The move has upset some nearby residents who have enjoyed the current offering at Riverside Farm, Rawcliffe, which is run by major pub chain Greene King.

Kathleen Moyes of York told the Press: “Everybody is shocked and appalled. We can’t believe we will see an American diner.”

Kathleen, a regular diner at the pub, says long-serving staff have left already, replaced by temporary staff.

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She says she has had many problems trying to make bookings recently and on calling in a few days ago, was told it would be closing this weekend, timing its owners reject.

Riverside Farm on Shipton Road offers classic pub food and a carvery every day, alongside a Wacky Warehouse children’s play area.

TripAdvisor gives it 4-stars out of five, ranking it 29 out of 191 for quick bites in York, awarding it a Travellers Choice Award for 2023.

(Image: Supplied)

Earlier this summer, Greene King submitted plans for a major upgrade of the premises, which it said would “maintain its offering to the public and ensure its long term operation.”

However, the application said nothing about a transformation to an American-style restaurant.

A Greene King spokesperson told the Press: “We are delighted to announce that there are plans for Riverside Farm to become a Hickory’s Smokehouse for Skelton, York.

“We have notified the team at the pub of this exciting development for the venue, and the current plan is for it to close later in October and undergo a significant investment before reopening in 2025.”

In October 2022 Greene King announced it was investing in Hickory’s to help build it into a national dining brand. Part of this includes identifying sites it already owns for conversion into Hickory’s.

Staff have consulted about the changes and can transfer to other pubs in the nearby area, but overall the opening of Hickory’s is expected to significantly increase staff numbers at the venue.

Founded in 2010 by Neil McDonnell, Hickory’s has grown into a leading authentic BBQ smokehouse restaurant operator in the UK, with 23 restaurants across the North West, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire & Midlands. The nearest venue to York is at Adel, just north of Leeds.

Hickory’s describes itself as a family friendly smokehouse and BBQ restaurant, with Southern inspired food and drink at the core of the offering.

Diners can expect a menu ‘packed full of the flavours of the Deep South’, with classic smokehouse dishes all smoked low ‘n’ slow in smokers specially shipped in from Missouri.

Diners are promised unique dining experiences within the restaurant, from chef’s bars to wraparound verandas, and children having their own cinema rooms.

City of York Council still has to determine the application for the ‘upgrade’, submitted in July.