The Plough Inn, Wombleton: Top Yorkshire chef Richard Johns promises 'strong wet service' at new gastropub he has tried to buy three times

Richard and Lindsey Johns have now opened The Plough at Wombleton, having taken a year out of the hospitality industry since leaving The Hovingham Inn following a dispute over the terms of their lease.

Their new venture is just four miles from the estate village of Hovingham, and they are hoping to attract customers who remember them from their three-year stretch at the pub.

They have tried to acquire The Plough three times over the past five years, as the pub enjoys an enviable location on the main A170 road between Thirsk and Scarborough.

The couple achieved a Michelin Guide listing for The Hovingham, a top 50 ranking from the Estrella Guide, and a spot in the Hardens restaurant guide. They previously ran Rascills in Raskelf, near York, and Artisan in Hessle, near Hull.

Despite their gastronomic pedigree, they have promised that The Plough’s tradition of ‘strong wet-led service’ will continue, with Helmsley Brewing Company as the key supplier.

Mr Johns said: “We are very conscious of the difficulties the hospitality trade continues to suffer, but this is what we do. After all we have gone through, especially over the last 10 years, with setting up three previous ventures, learning to pivot in business is essential. It’s understanding long-term viability and knowing your customer base - something we hope to carry forward.”

Mr Johns will run the kitchen himself without the help of junior chefs, while his wife will manage front of house. Their a la carte menu will change with the seasons.

“We intend to keep the bar just as it is. The Plough has historically enjoyed a strong wet side and long may that continue. It is very important to us that folks feel they can nip in for a pint or two and feel no pressure to eat from the menu. A pub, even if it does provide a decent food offering, should ultimately be a happy and relaxing place to enjoy a drink.”

The Plough opened on October 4. The Hovingham Inn no longer trades as a pub and has become Myse, a restaurant run by Josh and Victoria Overington, who previously owned Le Cochon Aveugle in York.