'Celebrity inn' Punch Bowl back on its feet

But now the inn at Marton cum Grafton, North Yorkshire, is open again, there is a new face behind the bar and the locals couldn't be happier.

Luci and Alex Matthews aren't planning any celebrity opening like their predecessors, actor Neil Morrissey and Harrogate restaurateur Richard Fox. Instead, they want the pub to speak for itself.

"We want it to be a proper country pub, serving great, freshly cooked food, rather than some expensive gastro bistro-type place which just didn't offer anything for the locals," says Mrs Matthews, 25, who was assistant manager for a short-time at Ye Olde Punch Bowl under Morrissey Fox.

"They were just too expensive and didn't offer enough choice. We want good food, good atmosphere and good staff," she added.

Neil Morrissey and Richard Fox took over the lease of Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn amid much publicity in April 2008.

They spent thousands of pounds refurbishing the pub and converting the ancient out-buildings into a micro-brewery.

Villagers became concerned when it emerged the whole project was being filmed for a three-part Channel 4 programme aptly named Neil Morrissey's Risky Business.

Despite assurances at a public meeting the pub would remain at the heart of the village, the business quickly alienated residents when prices were raised and locals felt their concerns were being brushed aside.

After just 18 months Morrissey Fox Inns Ltd was placed into voluntary liquidation, reportedly owing over 700,000 to more than 80 creditors, many of them local traders. The pair's beer brewing business was not thought to be affected.

Marton cum Grafton Parish Council chairman Nick Wilson says he was surprised by the failure.

He said: "We really did expect it to do be more successful than it was. I don't know whether it was the TV programme, the makeover or the way it was run, but it didn't generate local support. Now the villagers do seem to be going back to the pub. It does take time because people find elsewhere to go and get out of the habit of going to the pub."

Mr Wilson said good beer and good pub food were at the heart of a successful village pub.

"If you want fancy food, then you'd go to a restaurant. What people want from their local pub is good classic pub food and great beer. You can't rely on local trade alone, but it is a very good place to start."

After the demise of Morrissey Fox Inns, Ye Olde Punch Bowl closed briefly while owner Brian Horner looked for someone to take over the lease. It did reopen in November but the new landlords lasted just two weeks, before Mr and Mrs Matthews came to the rescue.

The couple, who ran The Ship at Strensall, are already busy putting their own mark on the pub redecorating the dining room and bar to restore some cosiness. The original old village photographs have replaced the modern art which sat incongruously in the 17th century village pub.

Head chef Dave Lishman aims to bring his expertise to offer good pub classics such as fish pie and steaks as well as a fine dining menu which will include more adventurous dishes including ostrich and venison. Mr Matthews, a trained chef, will also be in the kitchen.

Mrs Matthews, who trained as a nurse before deciding on a future in the hospitality industry, says although support from the village has been fantastic, reports of the closure of the pub after the departure of Neil Morrissey has affected business.

The couple plan to make the village their home. They are converting the upstairs of the pub into a flat and plan to live on site.