The day that many, including even the most ardent campaigner, thought may never come is finally here. Thanks to the tireless hard work of a community, hell-bent on bringing its pub back to life, the Travellers Rest, Skeeby will open on 1 April 2023 – and it’s not an April Fool!

The project has gathered momentum over the past 12 months, as volunteers and trades people have restored the Travellers Rest with a new and improved layout and facilities. The project has been supported financially with grants from Richmondshire District Council and the Plunkett Foundation, but mainly through the sale of shares to the community and as far afield as Australia.

In years gone by, the pub would serve more than 100 Sunday lunches in three hours, an impressive feat considering there were less than 40 seats in the building. However, in 2008 the pub closed and was subsequently bought by a property developer with intentions to convert the building into a residential property. 

The Skeeby Community Pub Society (SCPS) was formed to fight the planning application and, after a lengthy battle, it finally took ownership in early 2022. Unfortunately, the building had been stripped of all its amenities, including the bar, so the restoration was a huge undertaking. 

The newly refurbished pub will feature all-new button-back fitted seating, reclaimed furniture, a hand-crafted bespoke bar, wood-burning stove, enclosed outside courtyard, wheelchair accessible facilities and a new first-floor Garden Room with decking and views over the quoits pitches and beer garden. As well as reopening as a pub, the new venue will become a community hub, offering additional facilities for residents.

There will be no brewery ties for the new business, allowing the manager freedom to support small, local businesses when stocking the bar and kitchen. The pub will be offering traditional home-cooked food, good-quality beers, spirits and wines, along with hot drinks and cakes. The aim is also to bring much-loved traditional pub games back to the venue, as well as community events and celebrations, music, and culture.

The SCPS recently announced local man, Chris Wallace, has taken on the lease of the pub. Chris intends to employ an experienced manager and chef to run the Travellers Rest, in a similar way to that of the Castle Tavern in Richmond, where he is also the leaseholder. Chris also owns the Richmond Brewing company which will provide guest beers at times, alongside other local brewers.

Following in the footsteps of other community pubs, the Travellers Rest hopes to attract custom from walkers and cyclists who enjoy the nearby footpaths and bridleways. It is also on the Richmond to Darlington bus route, with services running twice an hour.

The society has a committee of nine, along with more than 200 shareholders who have collectively invested almost £300,000 in the business. A limited number of shares are still available until the maximum shareholding of £325,000 is achieved.

If you would like to invest or get more information email thetravellersrestskeeby@outlook.com or head to the website www.thetravellersrestskeeby.co.uk

Pictured from left: Skeeby Community Pub Society directors Jeorge Helmanis and Ali Bell