Former Morrisons director launches pub company
A FORMER Morrisons director has teamed up with the owner of the award winning Durham Ox to launch a new pub company in Yorkshire.
Provenance Inns, which has already bought three pubs in North Yorkshire, is a new venture led by Chris Blundell, nephew to Morrisons founder Sir Ken Morrison, and Michael Ibbotson.
The pubs will focus on offering locally-sourced produce and reflecting the history, attractions and architecture of the area.
Mr Blundell, who is a non-executive director of the English Food and Farming Partnerships, will be providing Provenance Inns with produce from his own farm and market garden.
The first pubs in Helperby, Brafferton and Felixkirk will open shortly and will aim to build on the success of the Durham Ox which has just celebrated its 10th birthday.
Mr Ibbotson said: “We have always been passionate about the Durham Ox being a great pub or inn. We serve drink, we serve food and people can stay.
“It is a real reflection of what the British Inn was, and is, all about. Inns can still have high standards of service and professional kitchens without losing their charm and integrity.
“I am not going to be so brash as to pretend that we have the secret, but I am also not going to apologise for the hard work, high standards, training and commitment that have proven to be successful.”
Mr Ibbotson opened the Durham Ox in Crayke after working at leading London restaurants including The Capital Hotel, Knightsbridge, El Vino and Chez Max.
The Durham Ox was The Good Pub Guide’s Yorkshire pub of the year in 2009 and and won a host of other accolades including England’s AA pub of the year.
The Carpenters Arms in Felixkirk will re-open as a Provenance Inn on Friday, September 3.
