A FAMILIAR figure on the Malton stage has opened his own bar in the town.

Rory Queen, who appeared for 10 years in pantos at the Milton Rooms, is venturing back into his original career with Rory’s Bar in Market Place.

Starting as a kitchen boy at the Talbot Hotel in the late 70s, Rory has run a number of hotels and restaurants before a reoccurring battle with cancer led him to move back to Malton to be closer to his family.

For the next 13 years he worked as a salesman for Ray Chapman Motors, while also treading the boards in the local panto.

Rory said: “During this time I always hankered to finally do something in Malton and so I took a huge risk and parted company with the car trade and opened Rory’s Bar.

“Rory’s Bar is generally to be run for what I call the forgotten generation – for people of a certain age who don’t want televisions or loud music blasting out, a place you can dine, drink, relax and socialise in comfort.”

Rory said they would start serving food at the end of January and open a family ice cream parlour in spring.

“When I surveyed locals and asked around the town every one was in full agreement and said they would love to see a town centre bar catering for their needs,” he said.

“That’s not to say I have anything against the younger generation, its just we are to be more geared up for their mums and dads, aunties and uncles or grandparents.”