A PUB landlady has spoken of her fears for other pubs across the York area after the Exhibition Hotel group was declared insolvent.

Dee Hillier, who took on the Duke of York pub from the group five years ago, said waves from the financial storm had rocked her business.

She said many customers believe the pub at Gate Helmsley, between York and Stamford Bridge, was still owned by the group and feared it would close and that her staff would lose their jobs. But she said that although the pub was once seen as a flagship pub for the group, she had been running it successfully by herself for five years, with the building owned by Punch Taverns.

Last week, the Evening Press reported that the future of 17 pubs and hotels owned by the group, including The Snickleway Inn, The Exhibition Hotel and YO1, was hanging in the balance after the group was declared insolvent.

Administrators said all the businesses, which are spread across York and East Yorkshire, would remain open while they tried to find a buyer.

But employees, who said they had been ordered not to discuss the financial trouble, said they feared an uncertain future.

Director Danny Davies, 51, who ran the group with his wife, Michelle, 55, known as Shuni, was not available to comment.

Mrs Hillier said: "A lot of people still think we are part of the Exhibition Group because the Duke of York was the flagship pub and was converted and refurbished by them.

"It was my local before I took over and I was friends with Danny and that's how I got the pub. I know the downsides and upsides of working in the business.

"My staff are being persistently bothered both inside and outside the pub by people who think we are closing. I want to put everyone's mind at rest and stop the rumours going around."

Mrs Hillier runs the pub with her daughter, Joanne McDonough, and her husband, Chris. She said: "It's a worrying time for the other landlords. I wouldn't wish this on anybody."

Richard Fleming, of accountancy firm KPMG, who is handling the matter, said: "The pubs are trading as normal.

"We are trying to find buyers for them all so they can continue."

He said the family-owned business had fallen into financial trouble after money spent on renovations was not matched by takings.

A meeting is expected to be held within three weeks to discuss the sale or reconstruction of the business and the payment of creditors.

In York city centre, The Exhibition Hotel Group is responsible for Thomas's, in Museum Street, The Red Lion, in Merchantgate, and The Fox, in Holgate Road.

It also runs The Royal Oak, in Copmanthorpe, The Blacksmiths Arms, in Huntington, The Cottage, in Haxby, The Black Swan, in Pocklington, The Carpenters Arms, in Fangfoss, and several pubs in Hull.

Updated: 10:04 Friday, October 21, 2005