Raising a glass as town finally gets Yorkshire Dales-style pub

The pub will not be serving beer from Ilkley Brewery, the company co-founded by the Flying Duck’s general manager Stewart Ross.

Mr Ross left Ilkley Brewery at the beginning of the year but neither he nor co-founder Chris Ives, the managing director, have elaborated on their parting of ways.

Following his exit, Mr Ross, who is partially blind, became a consultant to Flying Duck Enterprises, which is backed by a group of 16 investors with local connections.

Their aim was to transform the down-at-heel Albert pub into a so-called BrewPub to capitalise on the resurgence in the popularity of real ale.

Originally set to open in July, the Flying Duck will start trading this weekend after the £200,000 refurbishment project, which has included the installation of a microbrewery capable of producing 1,440 pints per week under the name of Wharfedale Brewery.

Jonathan Shepherd, one of the investors, told the Yorkshire Post: “Ilkley has not had a proper Yorkshire Dales-style pub with stone floors, beamed ceilings and a roaring fire.

“Whilst we want to get our investment back, it is not about the money. We just wanted somewhere decent to go and have a pint.”

He said there is a misconception that the pub industry is on its knees and while some pubs are shutting, those with the right proposition are doing well. “People are still going to pubs,” he said.

The Wharfedale Brewery is already brewing – offsite – a blonde beer and a traditional Yorkshire best bitter with plans for a black to follow.

The new microbrewery is commissioned today.

The Flying Duck will serve nine rotating cask real ales from Wharfedale and other microbreweries throughout the UK, draught ciders, continental lagers, bottled beers from around the world, an extensive range of fine wines, whiskies and spirits, soft drinks, teas and coffees.

Mr Shepherd said: “Our absolute goal, which is very difficult to achieve, is to appeal to everybody, young and old.

“We want to create the kind of venue that’s been missing from the town.”

The list of investors reads like a Who’s Who of Ilkley business and include Bill Dale and William Eddison of Dale Eddison estate agents as well as past chairmen of the Ilkley Round Table and founder members of the Ilkley Beer Festival. Others include Peter Fisher, the Gilbraltar-based gambling tycoon behind bookmaker Stan James.

The pub, formerly known as the Mallard, dates back to the early 1600s.

The current Grade II-listed structure was built in 1709 and noted by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner for its architectural importance.

Paul Whitehead, the chief building contractor, told the Yorkshire Post: “As a listed building, and indeed probably the oldest structure in central Ilkley, numerous unexpected challenges were faced during the build programme.

“Working with architects and engineers effective solutions were found to protect the building’s character whilst delivering a superb customer environment.

“It’s been an absolute privilege to have been involved.

“I hope the investors get the returns they deserve and I am sure it will be a great success.”

Mr Shepherd and business partner David Russell bought the building from Enterprise Inns in 2010 with profits from their online betting portal, Betrescue.

Mr Shepherd said: “You can’t get much money for your money from the banks so we started buying property. We thought we got it cheaply.”

He thanked the public for showing interest in the project and, more importantly, for being patient. Mr Shepherd said: “The work that has been undertaken is first class and a credit to everyone who has been involved. Both the pub and the brewery look absolutely fantastic.

“It has taken a little longer than we had hoped but I am certain that everyone will be enormously impressed and agree that it has been well worth the wait.”

It is the third incarnation of the Wharfedale Brewery. The original was founded in Wetherby in the 1840s and is thought to have lasted until the late 1950s.

The name was resurrected in Grassington in 2003, but apparently dissolved in 2007.

Similarly, Ilkley Brewery was originally founded in Victorian Yorkshire in 1873, but shut in the 1920s.

Mr Ross and Mr Ives, who both worked in the commercial property industry, revived the brewery in 2009 to great acclaim.

It won the national Local Business Accelerators competition in 2012 with the backing of the Yorkshire Post.

Mr Ives said he wished the Flying Duck the best of luck, but has not tried to sell it any beer.

@bernardginns

Rye ’n’ Dry – Brew Number 39

Ilkley Brewery launched its 39th brew this week – the Rye’n’Dry.

Inspired by an American cocktail, the beer is brewed with a combination of rye, barley grains and three US hops, Centennial, Liberty and Chinook.

Under managing director Chris Ives, the brewery is investing for growth and has international ambitions.

Last month, it took delivery of a 10-foot high, 8,000-litre fermentation vessel, along with a new-cask filling machine to give better quality control.

Both pieces of equipment will help to increase production levels by 33 per cent, meaning that the brewery can now make up to 50,000 pints a week.

Mr Ives has identified export as a key growth area for the £1.2m turnover business. It is shipping to the States for the second time next month. It is also exporting to Sweden.