Renowned Yorkshire chef Tommy Banks opens his latest venture today (29 August) – the General Tarleton, a historic former coaching inn at Ferrensby, near Knaresborough, that has been closed since the Covid epidemic five years ago.
The reopening is the first project from Jeopardy Hospitality, a company established to rescue pubs across Yorkshire from closure that Tommy has launched with his brother James, business partner Matthew Lockwood and businessman Neil Armstrong.
He says: “When a pub shuts its doors, it rarely reopens, and it’s devastating to read reports that we’ve lost six pubs a week so far this year, and I fear this is just the tip of the iceberg.
“We’re not just reopening pubs, we’re bringing them back with care, character, and a focus on what makes them special. It’s about creating spaces where people can gather, enjoy good food, and celebrate local heritage.
“Times are tough, and it’s easy to pull back, but in the UK hospitality scene, growth is the only way forward. With rising costs and changing regulations, expanding helps us use our resources wisely and build something that lasts.”
The General Tarleton offers a classic pub menu alongside seasonal specials, with many ingredients sourced from Yorkshire – including the beef in the ‘GT burger’, which comes from Oldstead, where Tommy grew up on the Banks family’s farm.
Tommy runs the Black Swan at Oldstead, Roots in York and the Abbey Inn at Byland.
