A north Cumbrian village inn has been sold.
The Sally, in Irthington, near Carlisle, has been bought by Tom Towle for an undisclosed sum.
It was on the market for £470,000 with Fleurets.
Previous owners Jimmy Little and Shaun Gardner bought the five-bedroom inn seven years ago and said it was a hard decision to put in on the market, but were having to sell due to health reasons.
Jimmy said: “When we bought the Sally in 2016 we underwent a £500,000 renovation of the property, which included replumbing, reconfiguring and an extension.
“We wanted the Sally to be a social hub for the community and this was at the forefront of the decisions we made which included a sheltered outside area and a new bar. These areas, and all the renovations, were created so that everyone in the community and further afield could benefit.”
Tom has 25 years’ experience within the catering business, having spent 12 of those years as head chef and more recently, has been successfully running a well-known restaurant and wedding venue on the outskirts of Carlisle.
He will continue in that role, he said.
He added: “When the opportunity to purchase the Sally arose, it felt like the natural next step for me to expand.
“The Sally had recently been renovated and already has a good local reputation along with all the ingredients to become a thriving pub and restaurant, I felt it was too good an opportunity to turn down.
“I’m looking forward to building on what Jimmy and Shaun have achieved so far and we are hoping to be open to the public almost immediately.
“Irthington is a beautiful village, and I am looking forward to welcoming all the locals into the Sally, as well as attracting customers from the surrounding areas.”
