Opening time for inn shop as pub grub gets new meaning

The owners of the Lamb Inn, at Rainton, near Thirsk, have now opened a village shop at their pub, after the previous one closed several years ago leaving residents with no choice but to travel elsewhere to buy their groceries.

The pub shop, which will sell affordable local produce and everyday items to residents, has been two years in the planning and given funding support from Yorkshire Forward.

Owner Steven Bannister said: “We’re not competing with the supermarkets but as a pub and restaurant business, we are open for many hours during the day so it seemed like an obvious step to support our local and loyal community.

“We’re also extremely grateful to Yorkshire Forward for their funding support towards this project and to Pub is The Hub for their guidance and ideas.

“We are delighted and proud to open our shop. Here’s to a cracking Christmas trade and a thriving 2012.”

The shop will stock more than 50 essential items with fresh produce from Hartley’s Butchers in Tholthorpe, Inshore Fisheries and Bland’s Greengrocers from Ripon with home-made sandwiches, pies and general grocery goods.