Owl takes flight with stellar year despite pandemic
The refurbished Owl pub and restaurant at Hawnby, near Helmsley, has enjoyed a strong year, despite the challenges of COVID-19.
It posted an occupancy rate of 70% through 2021, with Sunday lunches consistently fully booked once strict Covid restrictions were lifted.
Formerly the Inn at Hawnby, the Owl has been transformed into a country pub and restaurant with rooms in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
The long-term leasehold of the Owl, which remains an integral part of the Hawnby Estate, has been bought by the Coastal and Country Inns Group.
Chris Hannon, managing director of Coastal and Country Inns, said: “Taking everything into account, trade was absolutely amazing last year. We have been completely astonished and humbled by the response.
“Now, with the post-Covid feelgood factor returning, we are looking forward to a record-breaking 2022.
“The original lockdown in 2020 enabled us to complete the £650,000 refurbishment. It was frustrating not to be able to show everyone what we’d done at first, but now everyone is getting a good look.
“One of the highlights of last year, as Covid restrictions were eased to allow outdoor dining in April, was our brand-new Shepherd’s Hut, which served seven different wood-fired pizzas and a special every day.”
Jamie Savile, who runs the Hawnby estate, added: “Country and Coastal Inns have a tremendous track record and they share our enthusiasm and desire to build a sustainable and successful business.
“The success of The Owl is crucial to the estate and the wider village and we are extremely happy to have found somebody who shares our enthusiasm and desire to build a thriving rural business.
“The restoration of the pub is part of an on-going regeneration of the whole village and this includes transforming a number of run-down properties into lovely holiday cottages and shepherd’s huts.”
The Hawnby estate was bought by John Savile, the 6th Earl of Mexborough, in 1897 and Mexborough Estates, owned and operated by the Savile family, currently maintains a number of properties in the village.
The estate also received significant funding for the refurbishment of the Inn through the LEADER grant scheme. LEADER is a European Union initiative to support the development of the rural economy.
