RESIDENTS in a village near York have launched a campaign to save their village pub.

The SOS - Save Our Swan- group is contesting a ‘change of use’ planning application to Ryedale District Council to convert the White Swan Inn at Thornton Le Clay into a 5-bedroom home.

The group says the pub, dating back to about 1800, was successfully run until closing in March 2020 as the pandemic took hold.

"The White Swan Inn enjoyed a good reputation for being family-friendly, and serving freshly prepared, home-cooked, seasonal dishes, complemented by a range of drinks, including cask ales and good wines available by the glass," it said.

"As well as dining, customers could enjoy a drink at the bar, and in recent years the dining area was increased to service an increasing demand for dining out in pubs.

"As well as eating and drinking, events at the pub included charity fund raisers, with acts such as a Status Quo tribute band; a visit from a troop of traditional Morris dancers; coffee mornings enjoyed by village residents and friends; and christenings and wakes clocked the passing of time for local families.  

"Like all pubs, The White Swan Inn was forced to close its door last March, when the pandemic took hold, which coincided with the need to renew the tenant’s lease. It was at this challenging time that the owners asked for a significant increase in rent, and the tenant who had previously wished to buy the freehold, was unable to complete the deal, given the new terms. The freehold property was then put up for sale."

It said that after the pub was bought by residents, Richard and Tracy Harrison, there had been optimism it would trade again once the pandemic subsided.

Spokesperson Julian Lamb said: “Many of us in the village feel passionately opposed to this change of use application. You only lose your ‘village local’ once, and once it’s gone, it’s gone… closing the book on over 200 years of village life.”

He said people felt particularly aggrieved as the pub was regularly busy, with a good following from Thornton and neighbouring Foston, and also villages such as Barton-le-Willows, Bulmer and Sheriff Hutton – many of which had lost their own locals.

“It’s potentially a huge loss to our community on so many levels, both socially and economically.For some villagers, especially those who no longer drive, this amenity was a lifeline for their mental health, aside from anything else.”

Nick Love, of CAMRA, said pubs were ‘at risk like never before’ due to the pandemic and prolonged closures but, as society opened up, were more important than ever to their local communities, and such a characterful property would be in high demand as a going concern. “Its unnecessary loss would be incalculable,” he said.

The group said Ryedale County Council was inviting comments on the planning application, details of which could be viewed online, either via the online portal or in writing by Thursday 8th July, at www.ryedale.gov.uk/planning, via ref number: 21/00861/FUL. 

Richard and Tracy Harrison said that when they bought the pub, they were ‘very excited' to carry on a business. However, the conclusion of a specialist report - instigated by Ryedale Council- by leading pub specialist, Fleurets, had stated that this pub specifically was 'at high risk of business failure.’

“This has been a tremendous disappointment to us but we have to accept the financial reality and so decided not to reopen, hence the current application," they said.