Beverley's Rose and Crown Pub to be run by Panizzi couple

BUILDERS are breathing new life into one of Beverley's landmark buildings.

The Rose and Crown, dominating North Bar Without, is to be reopened after being closed for six months.

FRESH START: Stuart Fenn outside the Rose and Crown. Picture: Rob Stebbing

A new tenant has been found for the Enterprise Inns-owned building, which has struggled for the past few years.

Stuart and Kate Fenn hope their experience of running Panizzi restaurant will give them a head start in appealing to customers' needs.

Mr Fenn, who plans to run the pub while his wife remains at Panizzi, said: "We've got a bar at Panizzi, this is a big change but we're looking forward to it."

The Fenns are renovating the inside while Enterprise deals with the outside.

The aim is to have it up and running before the highlight of the social calendar, The Journal Ladies' Day at Beverley Racecourse in August.

Mr Fenn said: "It will probably be open in five weeks. There is a lot of work to be done including internal structural stuff."

With such a prominent building next to the last remaining medieval Beverley gateway, there has been huge interest in the fate of the Rose and Crown.

The pub's near neighbours include The Royal Standard, frequented by businessmen and Beverley Rugby Club members.

Also nearby is the Michelin-rated Whites restaurant.

Many remember the Rose and Crown in its heyday, including the Fenns, who used to go there.

Mrs Fenn said: "My husband has wanted the pub for a long time. We used to go there when we lived in London and we came to Beverley for the weekends.

"It's a local pub that everybody at this end of town and beyond used to love going to.

"The pub is historic and, hopefully, we'll be able to capture that again.

"Stuart put together a business plan with the brewery and they liked it. All that was negotiated over the past couple of months. It's a good balance between the brewery and us.

"We're concentrating on the inside and they're doing the outside. It's a listed building."

An Enterprise spokesman said: "We are very pleased to announce that the Rose and Crown will soon be re-opening, following a period of significant refurbishment.

"We have recruited a couple who have excellent local knowledge and a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, and they are eager to drive the business forward.

"In their hands, we believe the Rose and Crown could become the best pub in Beverley, with modernised interiors and good- quality food to complement the excellent, existing cask range."

The plan will be to open up as a traditional pub serving quality English food.

The couple have been encouraged by people's reaction to their venture.

Mr Fenn said: "It will be a good, foody pub – traditional English premium pub food – and people have been welcoming that."