A NORTH Yorkshire pub has reopened its doors following a major renovation project.

The Londesborough Arms Hotel, in Seamer, was officially last month by the mayor of Scarborough, Councillor Tom Fox, following a £200,000 investment.

Councillor Fox joined new publicans, Wayne Lerigo and his business partner Erkan Balon, who have taken over at the helm of the Londesborough.

Both men will be well known to local pub-goers having run a number of pubs and hotels in the area in recent years.

Erkan recently left Scalby Manor at Scarborough to manage the Londesborough, while Wayne will split his time between Scarborough and Pickering where he runs the Black Bull in Pickering, renowned for its award-winning giant loaf tin Yorkshire pudding.

Wayne, who has more than 35 years’ experience in the licensed trade, is promising that the new-look Londesborough will serve a range of delicious home-cooked food, including his famous Yorkshire pudding.

He said: “My partner Simone is an experienced chef and, along with other pub favourites, she will be serving our homemade loaf tin Yorkshire Puddings, which are hugely popular at the Black Bull. They come with a choice of different fillings and we reckon they are just about the best in Yorkshire.

“This is a very exciting project for all of us and we are really looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to the Londesborough.”

The investment, in partnership with pub company Punch, has involved an extensive refurbishment of the pub and its 15 en-suite bedrooms. In addition to serving quality food and drink, there will be entertainment on several nights including live music.

Caroline Edwards, new business development manager for Punch, said: “Wayne and Erkan are hugely experienced publicans and I am delighted they are going to be working with us to breathe new life in to this great pub. I’m sure customers will be delighted with what we have achieved.”