Pub to be renamed The Sir Gary Verity in honour of Tour supremo

However now, for one week only, Gary Verity will become a Sir when the owners of an Ilkley pub rename their premises The Sir Gary Verity.

Landlords at The Black Hat in Ilkley have decided to re-name their pub The Sir Gary Verity in the lead up to the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race which will pass through the town on Stage 3 on Sunday May 3.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, played a pivotal role in bringing the Grand Depart of the Tour de France to Yorkshire last year and there was some consternation, particularly amongst Yorkshire folk, when he was overlooked in the New Year Honours list.

Business owner Stewart Taylor said: “The award of honours is for others to decide. We wanted to pay an affectionate tribute to the man who had the vision and determination to bring the Grand Depart to Yorkshire which he achieved when most thought he wouldn’t. The Tour de Yorkshire is part of the legacy of his achievement and once again the eyes of the world will be on Ilkley when the race passes through.”

The Black Hat will be known as The Sir Gary Verity for one week only from Monday with a renaming ceremony will take place at The Black Hat at 6.30pm.