A popular York pub has closed suddenly and appointed insolvency practitioners.
The Gillygate “has permanently closed”, a notice on its website says. It adds: “An insolvency practitioner has been appointed.
“Creditors and debtors will be contacted in due course.”
It marks the end of an eight-year journey, which saw the historic public house in York transformed and become a hub of live entertainment.
When Brian and Suzanne Furey took over The Gillygate in 2014, they invested £500,000 in a complete makeover.
This transformed the pub from “a 1980s style B&B” into a beautifully appointed place to eat and drink, with a main bar, back bar with TV and a whisky snug.
It became well known for its food, and for lively quiz, music and live performance nights. And it had nine rooms to let.
But it was put up for sale at the end of 2020.
In recent days, people who had booked rooms at The Gillygate have had their stay cancelled at short notice.
“Booked this moths ago and was confirmed by credit card, at a very good price, however received an email cancellation today,” wrote one TripAdvisor reviewer on 17 July.
“Due to stay over on 11th August. Booked and paid for in January 2022 only to be cancelled,” another wrote on Sunday.
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Like all hospitality venues, The Gillygate was hit hard by Covid, and was shut during the lockdowns.
But it seemed to have bounced back, and hosted its popular conker championship in October 2021.
The Gillygate dates back to 1811, and has four bars and a beer garden.
According to the sales details from 2020, The Gillygate’s turnover to June 30 2019 was £653,031 net vat.
The property is held by way of a ten-year lease from Star Pub Company from April 2014 at a passing rent of £75,000. The lease is free of tie on wines, spirits, food and accommodation, but tied on draught, bottles and minerals.