16/05/2026
It is with very heavy hearts that we are writing to let you know that The Black Lion will be closing its doors under our tenancy, with our final day of opening being Saturday 23rd May.
This has been an incredibly painful decision for us to make. Over the past six months we have poured absolutely everything we had into trying to build something special here, financially, physically, emotionally and creatively. We truly believed in what The Black Lion could become and have loved creating a warm, welcoming and characterful space for the village and beyond.
Sadly, despite our very best efforts, the reality of the hospitality industry at the moment, particularly for independent rural pubs, has made it impossible for us to continue sustainably.
We know many of you have seen how much heart has gone into this place. From the styling, music, gardens, events, coffee, food, vintage pieces, outdoor spaces and plans for the future, The Black Lion became much more than just a business to us. It became part of our lives, and we are deeply sad to be letting it go.
Over this weekend and the next week, we would really love for people to come in, have a drink, a coffee or some food (kitchen closes this Sunday 17th May, opening only for our closing event on the 23rd) and say goodbye properly. Your support, kindness and encouragement throughout this journey has meant more to us than we can ever express.
We are also planning one final celebration on Saturday 23rd May, our last day of opening, and we would love for as many people as possible to join us. We'll be serving pizzas, enjoying music, and celebrating everything that has been created here together. Please see the attached poster for details.
Thank you, truly, for welcoming us, supporting us, and believing in us. We will carry many beautiful memories from our time at The Black Lion and will always feel grateful to have been part of its story, and we wish every success for The Black Lion and the community for the future.
With love and thanks,
Mary, Tadgh and our wonderful team
A message from The Pub & Hub Committee:
"When we set out to save this pub four years ago, we did so because we believe it is the heart of Skelton-on-Ure. Despite our tenants' tenacity and hard work, the pressures facing the wider hospitality industry make their current business model unsustainable under today's economic conditions.
We would like to shine a light on the incredible transformation Tadgh and Mary have achieved for us since October. They have put everything into this venture, working 80-90 hour weeks each from the very beginning. They have given their all to The Black Lion and have poured their creativity and style into every corner of the pub.
We invite you to join us for a drink before the 24th to celebrate everything that Tadgh and Mary have accomplished, and to reassure you that this is not the end of the road for The Black Lion."