The Red Lion in South Stainley near Harrogate has recently called last orders on Pesto as it undergoes a refurbishment that will introduce the Fayre & Square brand.
The pub completed a joint venture in August 2013 following a £325,000 joint investment from Pesto restaurants and the Spirit Group.
It operated as a Pesto Italian restaurant and received glowing reviews on Tripadvisor.
The Spirit Pub Company say the change will create 25 new jobs in the process, although there will be the loss of the 30 jobs recently created in the Pesto rebranding.
The pub, which is owned by Spirit Pub Company, previously operated within Spirit’s leased estate but following its make-over it will launch as managed pub as part of the Fayre & Square brand on Tuesday 4th February 2014.
As well as a new look and menu there will also be a new landlord behind the bar as Shirley Smithies joins the Red Lion. Shirley has over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and moved to the town from Manchester where she managed the Moorings pub.
Shirley said: I’m really excited about joining the Red Lion and introducing the Fayre & Square brand to the community. Not only will our pub have a great new look but we’ll also have a fantastic new menu with some cracking dishes on it such as the ‘All American’ Hot Dog, the famous ‘square’ burger and for those with a sweet tooth there’s the Cookie Dough Pizza to share.
The pesto group did such a great job on refurbishing the red lion with an excellent concept of Italian tapas. The staff and surroundings were great. My wife and I dined here regularly and always recommended the establishment. I am so disappointed with what’s is its to become, a run of the mill chain serving cheap price food. It’s not what this area needs and and doubt if it will survive just like the previous management attempts before pesto.