A devastated publican has been told that she will have to leave an historic York inn – so it can be given a rebrand.
But Lorna Turnbull is not giving up the Bay Horse on Blossom Street without a fight.
She has launched a petition calling on everyone who loves the pub to support her efforts to keep it special.
Lorna took over the Bay Horse early in 2021, when the hospitality industry was still in the midst of lockdown struggles.
Since then, she has built it back up to be a popular traditional pub with five letting rooms. It is known for its long-running pub quiz, proper grub – including the Teesside chicken parmo – and is home to many community groups including the York Pride committee.
This week, owners the Stonegate Group told Lorna they were not renewing her lease. She said they plan to turn it into a Craft Union pub, its sports bar brand.
As YorkMix reported, the same thing is due to happen at the Roman Bath pub on St Sampson’s Square.
‘Thought it was a joke’
Lorna said she was shocked to hear Stonegate’s plans. “I thought it was a joke if I’m honest.
“I can’t see how Craft Union would ever succeed here considering the age and layout of the pub.
“Nobody wants Sky Sports and a ‘modern’ pub here. And there’s literally a Craft Union – the Nags Head – and a sports bar nearby with similar offerings. It’s mental.
“We do good home-cooked food, a cosy bed and warm welcome in our beautiful pub. It’s from the 1500s and should and always remain an inn.”
In a Facebook post, she wrote: “As an independently run pub, we’re heartbroken that we may be pushed out of our livelihood and home.
“We do not want the pub falling into the hands of a chain, and we want to keep the pub running, as it has done successfully for so many years.”
In her petition, which has already attracted hundreds of signatures only hours after going live, Lorna said: “Yet again, a British publican is trying to be be bullied out of their homes, business and community for our pubs to be put into the hands of corporates with their ‘operator’ style agreements.”
She told us: “The pub’s viability is based on its letting rooms and kitchen – which Craft will remove.
“It’s extremely sad to see this, it really is. Along with the Roman Bath – it’s a disgrace quite frankly.”
According to Wikipedia the core of the Bay Horse building “was constructed in the late-17th century, after the Siege of York, as a small farmhouse.
“It was first recorded as an inn in 1748, around which time it was raised to three storeys, and extended from an L-plan to a square plan.”
Pubgoers have been rallying round Lorna’s campaign. “We can’t let it happen, my favourite little pub,” one said.
Another added: “Independently run gems are quickly disappearing to chains and it needs to stop.”
Because news broke of Lorna’s campaign out of office hours, we haven’t been able to source a response from the Stonegate Group yet. But we will update with one as soon as possible.
When Stonegate was asked about the Roman Bath conversion to a Craft Union pub, a spokesperson told us: “The transition to Craft Union, a community-focused pub company, marks the start of an exciting new chapter for the historical pub.”
They added that “the goal of the investment is to enhance the overall offer”.