Simon Wade takes over The Punch Bowl at Marton Cum Grafton

The Punch Bowl Inn at Marton Cum Grafton in the Vale Of York, south of Boroughbridge,  has been taken over by local publican Simon Wade of Langthorpe Live Inn Ltd.

This will be the fifth pub in Simon’s portfolio, with him also owning The Grantham Arms, The Tapp and Tutt and the Fox and Hounds in Boroughbridge, plus the Blue Bell at nearby Arkendale.

Simon says he acquired the Grade II-listed Punch Bowl because it is a ‘heritage pub.’

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He told the Press: “It has a good, strong trading history going all the way back to the 16th century. It became available as a freehold for the first time in 15 years.”

In 2008, tv star Neil Morrisey and tv chef Richard Fox acquired the pub, which they featured in a tv series about their exploits, which included setting up a micro-brewery. However, they handed the key back after 18 months.

In January this year, Everard Cole acting on behalf of owners Provenance Inns, placed the pub on the market for £695,000. The sale price hasn’t been disclosed, and contracts are due to be exchanged today (Tue).

Simon continued: “The pub had been neglected by the current owners and they put it on the market. I know the Punch Bowl well. It fits in with our portfolio. The best time to go in is when it is at its lowest ebb.”

The pub has closed temporarily and already work has started on a full refurbishment throughout, which will also include the ‘beautiful’ beer gardens at the front and rear.

Simon said: “We are going to be offering good, home-cooked food, pub classics, lunch and dinner seven days a week.”

“We are working hard in gaining the confidence of the village because they have been disheartened over the years to see it flip-flop from good to bad. There has been quite a lot of excitement in the village [about the take-over].”

Simon Wade behind the bar of the Tap on the Tutt (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Some 20 full and part-time staff have been taken on to run the pub, with Provenance Inns saying some will be transferring over to the new owners or to other Provenance pubs. No jobs have been lost by the sale, Provenance said on social media.

Their Facebook post also said: “We’re confident it [ The Punch Bowl] will continue as a welcoming and much-loved local.”

It added: “Thank you to our guests, neighbours and community for 14 years of support – it’s been a privilege to be part of your village.”

In the meantime, Simon and is team are busy unpacking and preparing for the re-opening at 12 noon this Friday (May 1), with a more formal ‘grand opening’ planned for the end of May.

Simon added: “People in the village are getting excited. We have to meet their expectations and then surpass them.”