A much-loved York village pub will reopen next week.
The Ebor Inn, a Grade II listed building in Bishopthorpe, will be reopening its doors to the public one again.
The pub closed in 2021 after the death of its much-loved landlord Gordon Watkins, who had served the pub for nearly 45 years, and reopened for a brief stint under new management in 2024 before closing again.
Now Gordon’s daughter, Sally Watkins, will reopen the pub’s doors on Wednesday 13 May.
Sally announced the news on social media last month, writing that she was asked if she would like to be the manager of Ebor Inn “and of course I said yes!”
The Ebor is owned by Samuel Smith, the brewery based in Tadcaster. Sam Smith’s carried out renovations to the pub last year, which included changes to the interior and removing the white paint on the exterior to reveal the brick.
With now just a few days to go until opening, Sally is “super excited” to be taking over as the manager of the Ebor Inn.
“My mum and dad had been tenants with Sam Smith’s since 1976, starting at the Eston Hotel in Middlesbrough and then moving to the Ebor when I was three in 1981,” Sally told YorkMix.
“I grew up there and didn’t know anything other than that… I always say it’s in my blood!
“It feels like I’m going home in a sense and it feels right to be doing it. My children are all super excited as well as they spent lots of time with their grandad, and many a Friday night and Sunday lunch in the pub with friends when we would all go for tea and a Sunday roast.
“I know my dad would love to see it and he’d be really proud.”
The Ebor Inn is set to reopen on Wednesday. To keep up to date with the pub, visit their Facebook page here.
