A popular North Yorkshire village pub which has been closed for the past two years – and villagers had previously campaigned to save – has reopened after being taken on by new leaseholders.

Experienced publicans Malcolm and Eileen Goodwin are the new faces behind the bar of the Rose & Crown in Sutton-on-the-Forest, near York, with the pub now again open seven days a week.

Mr and Mrs Goodwin previously ran Plonkers in Cumberland Street, York, for more than 30 years, before selling the business in 2022.

More recently, they have been helping family at Quinns Wine Café and Kitchen in Haxby.

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A traditional village inn, the only one in the village, the Rose & Crown offers a cosy bar area, an additional lounge bar which also serves for a dining space, a further dining area and a conservatory restaurant.

Outside it boasts a large grassed beer garden - a popular spot over the summer months – overlooking the village playing field.

The property had been on the market for £595,000 or for rent at £45,000 a year.

A deal for the letting and a lease was secured between the landlord and the new tenants by commercial property specialists, Barry Crux & Company, who specialise in handling licensing and hospitality property deals.

Following refurbishment and re-fitting work, the Rose & Crown reopened earlier this month, offering “a traditional, cosy village pub welcome.”

Malcolm Goodwin  told the Press the couple liked the location and thought the pub offered much potential, due to 2the beer garden and everything."

(Image: Pic supplied)

The premises were devoid of furniture, leading everything to be refurbished, the kitchen, the bar and the lounge, with the conservatory to follow.

Malcolm said: "Business has been good in the couple of weeks since we started. The locals are really pleased the pub is back open. They are supporting us."

The pub has begun offering pizzas and will start Sunday lunches this weekend, and traditional pub grub from the Monday after next.

A range of cask, craft and keg beers are offered, including Timothy Taylor's Landlord, Black Sheep Best, Guinness and Neck Oil, plus various lagers.

Malcolm added: "All are welcome and we are dog-friendly."

Andrew Spencer of Barry Crux and Company said: “We are delighted to have concluded this deal having acted on behalf of the owner, and it is great news for the people of Sutton-on-the-Forest, as the Rose & Crown is a pub at the heart of the community.”

“The village has collectively been very keen to see it re-open for some time, as the last remaining pub in the village, and in Malcolm and Eileen it has now been taken over by a couple who have a first-class reputation and extensive experience in the licensed trade, having run several outlets in the York area over a number of years.

“The owner is confident they are the perfect pairing to bring the Rose & Crown back up to its former glory and we all wish them well for this new venture of theirs.”

Barry Crux & Company is part of property solutions and management specialists Garness Group, which has offices in York and Hull.