The Tankard pub in Rufforth is closing after just 3 months

At the end of last week the time was called for The Tankard in Wetherby Road, Rufforth, by Sam Smith’s Brewery.

It is understood Tadcaster Brewery blamed a lack of sales at the only pub in the village.

The Tankard was run by young couple Aaron Ridsdel and Ebony Wheatland, both from York.

Ebony, 19, said of the closure: “It was a decision we both made.”

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When they were hired in June, Ebony said brewery owner Humphrey Smith “liked” Aaron’s family.

“He wanted to give us a chance because we are so young,” she said at the time.

The couple planned to serve “traditional pub food” to generate more income, but this required work in the kitchen, such as installing gas tanks.

However, they said the brewery declined to invest.

“We had a meeting. We really left on good terms,” ​​Ebony added.

This is Ebony’s first pub manager, although she has also worked in the bar before.

Aaron, 20, has held management and hospitality positions at IHG and Best Western Hotels across the country.

Ebony said: “It was a good experience. We learned a lot.”

The closure means an uncertain future for The Tankard.

“I’m not sure what he (Humphrey Smith) is going to do with it. The people in the village are not very happy. After the cancellation we still had a good two days. Everyone came to say goodbye.”

Whatever the case, it’s not the end for Aaron and Ebony, who are now in the running to take over another pub in the area and work for a major pub company.

Rufforth City of York councilor Anne Hook described The Tankard’s closure as “really sad”, pointing out that it came at a time when the couple were working on food distribution.

Cllr Hook added that there had been many comments on Rufforth’s community Facebook page lamenting the loss of the pub.

Peter Rollings, leader of Rufforth Parish Council, said The Tankard had regulars but apparently not enough of them. He had been there a few times.

“It had been closed for a few years. The future of the pub depends entirely on the brewery. It’s a shame to lose it. It was great to have it open again.”

Of Aaron and Ebony, he added, “I think they did a good job.”

Sam Smith’s Brewery has many empty pubs in the area. These include the nearby Sun Inn in Long Marston, the Rose and Crown in Askham Richard and the New Inn in Wetherby.

The brewery has recently reopened pubs in Tadcaster but is still looking for management pairs to advertise on its website.

The press reached out to Sam Smith’s Brewery for comment.