The Star at Harome will reopen this autumn after fire
Chef-patron of the Michelin-starred pub Andrew Pern announced on Twitter that construction company Woodhouse-Barry would begin rebuilding the property within the next week or so, with the pub expected to open later this year.
Pern said: “Thank you to everyone for their continued support! See you all soon”.
We are pleased to announce that WoodhouseBarry from Sheriff Hutton,have been appointed to rebuild our beloved Inn.The work starts in the next week or two to be ready for late Autumn reopening,thank you to everyone for their continued support! See you all soon @chefandrewpern pic.twitter.com/fTsTEwtPpN
— The Star at Harome (@TheStaratHarome) May 2, 2022
The blaze, which broke out at the 14th century thatched inn on Wednesday 24 November, is believed to have been started deliberately, according to a police statement.
Devastating fire
At its height, the 45 firefighters from crew in surrounding areas including Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside and Pickering with the aerial ladder platform from Huntington battled the fire. The blaze resulted in extensive fire, water and smoke damage to much of the ground, first and second floors.
At the time, Pern told BBC Radio York he was informed the “thatch was on fire” that night. He added: “The crook frame has just about gone, [the roof] is probably about three or four feet deep of straw so if you’re a fire, it’s perfect.
“It’s one of those risks that comes with a thatched property, once it took a grip it didn’t really stand a chance.”
Award-winning venue
Despite a difficult six months, the Star inn still ranked third in the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub awards. The venue, before the blaze, is described as a “low, magical building” with a cosy interior, and gardens that leave you feeling “warm and fuzzy inside”.
The pub as held a place on the list since its inception more than a decade ago, taking the top spot on more than one occasion over the years.
What’s more, the Michelin Guide announced the gastropub had retained its star for 2022 for its high-quality cooking. The Guide states the head chef uses local produce like fish sourced from Whitby and vegetables from the kitchen garden to create “rich, gusty, flavour-driven dishes with a classical base and modern undertones.”
