Mulholland and Tuppen spat pub changes hands

By Lesley Foottit

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Greg mulholland mp Inn Greg mulholland

Black Horse: new licensees have taken over
Black Horse: new licensees have taken over
The pub at the centre of a spat between Greg Mulholland MP and Enterprise Inns chief executive Ted Tuppen has changed hands again. A new licensee...

The pub at the centre of a spat between Greg Mulholland MP and Enterprise Inns chief executive Ted Tuppen has changed hands again.

A new licensee couple has taken over at the Black Horse Hotel in Otley after a refurbishment plan by previous leaseholder Barrack Inns fell through.

Barrack Inns took on the pub last year and briefly converted it into an Irish bar called O'Malleys, which Mulholland labelled "an act of desperation".

Investment

Barrack Inns decided to "withdraw" from the Black Horse due to "local management problems". It had been due to commence a refurbishment project on 23 January. The company will now focus on its other Otley pub the Red Lion.

Divisional director Claire Bradshaw told Mulholland: "Our new retailers are Mark McLoughlin and Clare Watson and they plan to restore the traditional values of the Black Horse.

"They intend to build a food operation, including bar food and restaurant, along with a wide range of cask ales. They also plan to bring the accommodation and function room up to standard in conjunction with out support."

Bradshaw said that "we expect to invest significant sums at the pub and repair works have already commenced".

She has invited Mulholland to meet with her, regional manager Andy King and the new licensees.

Dismay

Mulholland has repeatedly called for Enterprise to sell off the freehold of the pub.

"People in Otley will be dismayed but alas not surprised that yet again, Enterprise Inns' plans for the Black Horse have come to nothing and yet another operator has walked away only a few weeks after we were told that the deal for the refurbishment was signed and sealed," he said.

"I am pleased that the divisional director is still offering assurances that the hotel will indeed, finally, be given the refurbishment it desperately needs but people in Otley are going to be pretty sceptical considering how many times that has been proposed and how many times in recent years this fine old coaching inn has been temporarily closed following changes in management."

Mulholland has criticised a tree growing from a balcony at the venue.

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