Sam Smith’s Blacksmith Arms in Skelton calls last orders

Last orders were called at The Blacksmith Arms in Skelton just north of York on Sunday (yesterday).

The closure follows the recent closures of the Cottage Inn at Haxby, plus that of the Blacksmith Arms in Huntington due to the retirement of the latter’s landlord.

Over the weekend, customers told the York Press that the Skelton venue was running out of beer and wine when they visited on Friday night, with them told the pub was about to close again.

Today, the Press rung the pub on Shipton Road and a recording said: “Voicemail disabled for this extension.”

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The Blacksmith Arms, situated by the A19, a few miles north of York’s Outer Ring Road,  re-opened last August to the delight of villagers after it shut in 2020 following a major revamp.

The previous year, City of York Council had awarded the pub Asset of Community Value status to give it some protection against redevelopment for other uses. The move was backed by Skelton Parish Council, who applied to the city council to award the status.

Parish council chair Cllr Julie Watson confirmed the closure took place on Sunday, leaving villagers with the option of going to Hickory’s, Mercure York Fairfield Manor Hotel, or the York FootGolf course, if they want a drink in the village.

Cllr Watson told the Press: “The management couple Wayne and Holly were lovely. The pub is an asset to the community. Let’s hope Sam Smith’s Brewery can find someone very soon.”

Sam Smith’s Brewery still has many vacancies (Image: NQ)

Google awarded the Blacksmith Arms 4.3 stars out of five stars, based on 53 reviews.

Recent reviews included: “Lovely small pub with chatty friendly manager.”

Another said: “What a lovely welcoming pub, log fire, nice friendly customers, and Wayne and Hollie that run the pub are so friendly, nothing is too much trouble, love the fact no mobiles are allowed to be used, people actually talk to one another, we went in as customers and left as friends, keep up the good work. Looking forward to our next visit.”

The closure adds to a large tally of empty pubs, owned by Tadcaster-based Sam Smith’s Brewery.

Over Christmas, the Press reported the company, which operates more than 200 pubs nationally, had 121 management couple vacancies listed on the Gumtree website.

The Angel and White Horse at Tadcaster (Image: Danny Law)

The salary was advertised at £55,180 for a management couple (£27,590) each.

In addition, the couple would receive a rent-free management flat and have their utility bills paid for by the brewery.

At present, Sam Smith’s Brewery does not appear to be advertising roles on Gumtree, but its own website says it has vacancies.

They include The Angel and White Horse at Tadcaster, The Jolly Sailors at Whitby, New Inn at Stamford Bridge, Agar Arms at Warthill, Crown Inn at Bolton Percy, Shoulder of Mutton at Appleton Roebuck and the Wellington Inn at York.

The website added that it did not list all the vacant pubs and if applicants had a specific pub not listed that they were keen on, to still apply online.