Last orders for 17th century country pub

Managers of the Staveley Arms in North Stainley, near Ripon, have confirmed its closure, saying the business is no longer viable.

The building is part of the North Stainley Estate and dates back to the 1660s. It reopened in 2023 after a refurbishment but has struggled to meet rising running costs.

A statement released by the pub’s managers explained: “Despite our best efforts and major financial investment we have been unsuccessful in overcoming the challenges in the current environment to create a business capable of delivering the experience we want for customers balanced with a sustainable financial position.

“With further major business impacts imminent from the recent disastrous budget in the form of increased employment costs and national insurance, before even allowing for the inevitable price rises on supplies as all businesses try to combat these factors, we have concluded it is not possible to make the business sustainably viable and have made the very difficult decision to not continue.”

The managers have stressed that people who have made bookings or purchased vouchers recently will be reimbursed, and that all staff and suppliers will be paid.

Their statement adds: “The estate is reviewing its options where the future of the pub is concerned and will update you when there is something to share.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank the committed members of our team for their efforts, especially through the busy Christmas period and those customers who have genuinely supported us.”