A Knaresborough pub that has been closed for one hundred and eleven days following a chimney fire is due to reopen this evening.

The Castle Inn, on Castlegate, has been closed since the incident on April 1 this year, but “has had a full revamp” ahead of its reopening, according to the new owner.

Landlady, Chloe-Mae Anderson-Maguire, her wife and brother-in -law, made the move from Whitby to Knaresborough to take over the pub after hearing about the fire.

She said her parents have run pubs all her life so this new venture “seemed like a great opportunity.”

The interior of the pub has been modernised.  The premises – which will be showcased at the launch party –  now offers 10 lagers, as opposed to the previous 7.

The pub is not yet serving food but hopes to have dishes out of the kitchen “within the next two weeks.”

The launch event will include discounted drinks, as well as a karaoke machine and live DJ to entertain the guests.

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Ms Anderson-Maguire said:

“We’d only visited the area a few times before moving, so we’re really looking forward to meeting old and new customers.”

The opening event will began at 6pm this evening. The pub will be open daily from 10am-12.30am thereafter.

A social media post for the Castle Inn wrote:

“The anticipation is building, and we can hardly contain our excitement!

“Our team has poured their hearts and souls into creating a unique and unforgettable experience for our valued customers.

“From the inviting atmosphere to the top-notch products/services we’ll be offering, every detail has been carefully crafted with you in mind.”

An artist with a gallery in Pateley Bridge is set to open a second premises in her home town.

Claire Baxter opened in the Nidderdale town 2019 and is set to open on Castlegate, in Knaresborough, this month.

Claire Baxter, who grew up in Knaresborough, said she is “absolutely delighted” that her business is expanding to her hometown.

As with Pateley Bridge, the Knaresborough gallery will feature a wide selection of Ms Baxter’s work, which depicts North Yorkshire towns and landscapes.

The new site will stock Ms Baxter’s originals, including prints and paintings, as well as work from her quirky series, “The Wonderful World of George and Daphne”.

The Pateley Bridge gallery stocks a range of the owner’s work

Ms Baxter said:

“Ever since I began my career as a professional artist, it was always my ambition to establish a gallery in Knaresborough, so when this opportunity arose I simply jumped at it.

“I am so looking forward to being a part of the local scene”.

Claire hopes to open the gallery on Saturday, April 29.

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Firefighters are dealing with an incident at the Castle Inn pub in Knaresborough.

The aerial ladder platform was called to the pub, where smoke was seen coming from the roof.

Early indications suggest it may be a chimney fire. Eye-witness accounts so far do not report seeing any flames.

The pub, on Castlegate, is widely known as The Vaults.

North Yorkshire Police has reported road closures are in place.

We will update this article when further details are available.

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A Knaresborough institution closed its doors for the last time this afternoon, after its owners were surprised by an impromptu party to mark their retirement. 

Andy and Elaine Grinter opened Art in the Mill, in Green Dragon Yard, in 2007 as a commercial art gallery with a picture-framing business, Green Dragon Framing, running alongside.

But over the years it has become something of a community hub, hosting weaving workshops, life drawing sessions, children’s art classes, poetry evenings, book signings for local authors, and even a wedding. 

In a Facebook post, Elaine said: 

“We’ve given it our all, as if we were raising a child – well twins, actually, if you count two separate businesses – and the rewards have been beyond measure. 

“It’s always been about ‘the people’ for us – the artists and the customers – and we want to thank you for the trust you placed in us to occupy the space in the middle.” 

Since the couple took over the premises 16 years ago, they have held more than 60 exhibitions by 250 artists, as well as hosting primary school visits and working with young artists. 

They have also worked extensively to further the interests of the local business and cultural communities, being heavily involved with Knaresborough’s Festival of Visual Arts (feva), Knaresborough Civic Society and Knaresborough & District Chamber, and starting the Visit Castlegate traders’ association.

Pimms was served in Green Dragon Yard during a Castlegate family fun day.

They have organised Castlegate family fun days, eve of feva parties, and Knaresborough’s celebrations when the Tour de France came to Yorkshire in 2014, as well as raising money for various charities, including funds for the town’s defibrillator. 

Their daughter Holly said:  

“Mum and dad have just worked so hard to push Knaresborough and benefit the whole community – they’ve never really taken holidays or switched off. They’ve done so much for the town over the years – I’m sure they’ll be really missed.” 

Andy and Elaine, who have been married for 36 years, plan to use their retirement to travel and see friends and family. It is understood that their premises, in a converted flax mill built in 1808, have been sold and will be converted for residential use.

Art in the Mill occupied a converted Georgian flax mill in Green Dragon Yard, off Castlegate.

In her Facebook post, Elaine wrote: 

“The mill is an amazing space and has served us all so well that on the eve of our departure we’re predictably sad to be leaving it, and our beloved Green Dragon Yard community, but we have many happy memories to be thankful for.” 

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Knaresborough Civic Society has launched a campaign to pedestrianise Castlegate and the Market Square.

The society feels that both areas are always busy with both cars and people and there isn’t enough space for adequate social distancing.

The Civic Society said its aim is to enhance the public space available and protect the town’s heritage. It also included plans to convert the area currently used by cars on Market Square into extra space for businesses or town events.

The Civic Society chairman James Monaghan said:

“Now is the ideal time to take bold steps to enhance Knaresborough’s public space, improve the pedestrian experience and make our streets safer.

“Castlegate is a popular shopping destination with narrow pavements. On busy days you already find shoppers walking down the middle of the street and maintaining social distancing on the pavements is impossible”.

Scenes such as these have encouraged the Civic Society launch their campaign for pedestrianisation.

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Castlegate business owner Andy Grinter supports the plans, he said:

“Its obvious that without action, we don’t stand a chance of social distancing. Without taking urgent, innovative measures we’re putting lives and livelihoods at risk. It’s clear that pedestrians need more space to walk and queue safely whilst maintaining social distancing.

“Giving customers room between premises and in public spaces will enable shops and businesses to bounce back and recover trade.”

The Society has written to North Yorkshire County Council and is now calling for other local groups to come forward and back their campaign.