The Beehive, Thorner: Yorkshire gastropub may close and owner is prepared to sell as crisis bites - with Leeds Festival road closures 'last straw'

Dale Wynter took over The Beehive in Thorner from its previous owner, Masterchef star Matt Healy.

However in an Instagram post today he admitted he would be willing to listen to offers for the business, which Healy took over in 2019 before stepping away from a year later to focus on his other food ventures, including Gron Cafe in Oakwood.

He also blamed road closures associated with Leeds Festival for taking custom away from the pub.

The post read: “The temporary closure of The Beehive is looking more and more difficult for us to come back from. We have had the maintenance to do.

"However in addition to this the Leeds Fest last week may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back. It has left the business in a position unable to pay back the full complement of staff wages owed to them. This as you know is an untenable position, the arrears from Covid are a heavy burden, along with already increasing costs.

"We are going to open the pub Wednesday with a number of offers to get people in drinking to see if I can raise some money to pay outstanding wages and I’m currently trying to work with the brewery in order to plan a future – as nobody wants the pub to close. All are welcome and any support would be appreciated.

"Unfortunately I do not have the resources alone to rectify the situation. If anyone out there knows of anyone that has the skill or the will to make the site work with a fresh start please let me know; the barrier to entry is low, and with the new (East Leeds Orbital) road it would make a fresh start much easier. I know there will be a lot of support from the brewery for an interested party.

"The pub across the past few years has meant so much to me, and what is happening is truly devastating, emotionally and financially. I hope we can find a solution that allows the doors to remain open.”

Mr Wynter also co-owns the Chophaus restaurant next to Roundhay Park in Oakwood.