A NEW tenant has taken over a 300-year-old pub in Wark.

Michael Robson, 49, is from Gunnerton and has become the new tenant of The Grey Bull pub in Wark.

Michael took over the tenancy of the pub officially on November 5, when an opening night took place with live music.

He is still a builder along with being the pub's new tenant, which is his first experience of running a pub.

He said he took over the tenancy as 'the village was crying out for its pub back'.

Wark also has the Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, and Michael said he wants to keep The Grey Bull as more of a pub than a restaurant.

Along with selling takeaway pizzas that people could eat at the bar, Michael said he is hoping to open an AirBnb above the pub as a holiday let.  

The Grey Bull has darts, pool and shows football games on the television, which Michael says offers more for the community. 

He said: "I think it's very important for the village, I really do. People were complaining the pub wasn't open anymore which was why I decided to take it on.

"Business is starting to pick up, the locals are starting to come back," he said.

He said he is also open to offers for hiring the pub to use it as a function room, and is hoping to get live singers to perform once a month.

As the World Cup progresses, Michael hopes to get the games on the television in the evening for punters to watch.

"The locals tell me it'll get busy so I hope it does," Michael said. "It's the first time I've had a pub." 

The Grey Bull's sister pub, The Black Bull, closed in January 2021.  

The Black Bull, also a pub, hotel and restaurant, had been in operation for 287 years when the owner David Haley was forced to close the business.

The owner said the business was forced to close due to objections on the pub's planning application to extend its facilities. Without the planning permission to create additional income, the pub could not remain open.

READ MORE: Tenant sought for The Grey Bull Wark

READ MORE: The Black Bull in Wark announces closure