Rishi Sunak has visited Northallerton’s oldest public house to meet the new owners investing in its revival.
The Richmond and Northallerton MP called in at The Fleece Inn on the High Street to speak with Sam and Sherri Matthews, who took over the historic pub in October.
Since acquiring the business, the couple have undertaken significant refurbishment works, including redecorating the interior and installing new bar and kitchen equipment as part of their plans to restore The Fleece as a popular destination in the town centre.
The pub reopened under its new ownership in December, with the latest phase of its revival marked by the launch of a new food menu in February. The introduction of stone-baked artisan pizzas signalled the full reopening of the kitchen and an important milestone in the venue’s return.
During the visit, Mr Sunak discussed the couple’s long-term ambitions for the business, their experience running family-owned hospitality venues and the continuing role of traditional pubs in bringing communities together. He also met customers and staff and heard about the positive reception from locals since reopening.
Mr Sunak said: “It was fantastic to visit The Fleece and see the commitment Sam and Sherri have made to bringing this historic pub back to life. Pubs like this are an important part of our town centres and local identity, and it’s great to see a family business investing with real pride and ambition. Their work is already making a difference, and I wish them every success as they continue to grow.”
Sam Matthews said he was pleased to welcome the MP to see the progress made so far.
“This investment reflects the importance of our town centres by supporting local, family-run businesses and protecting much-loved historic venues,” he said. “As a multi-site family business, it was a genuine pleasure for all the family to meet him and share our passion for bringing the oldest pub in Northallerton back to where it belongs — at the heart of the community.”
Sam and Sherri also run The Black Bull Hotel and say they are now focused on rebuilding The Fleece’s reputation, following strong early support from local customers since reopening.
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