LANDLORDS of a Steeton pub have announced their intention to make a long-term investment in the premises after buying it.

Husband-and-wife team, Craig and Kathy Smith, are acquiring The Goat's Head, in Skipton Road, from an administration company.

Mr Smith said the lengthy process to purchase the pub actually began at the end of November last year, but he hopes it will soon be complete.

He and his wife first started managing the pub two years ago, not long after they began their relationship.

Mr Smith, 44, who has previously been a landlord at pubs in the Yorkshire Dales, and has also worked as a telecoms engineer, said: "The pub is the real centre of the community – we won't stand for any people causing trouble here.

"People might not think it if they're just driving through Steeton on their way to the hospital, but it is a proper community.

"It's a lovely village with a lot of very nice people, and the support we've received from residents has been brilliant."

He and his wife were married in June of this year. Kathy Smith previously worked as a civil servant before changing career direction to help run The Goat's Head.

Mr Smith said the property had been in a neglected condition when they initially moved in.

"At first we got a lease off the administrators," he said.

"The pub needed a refit and we closed it down for what was initially meant to be two weeks, but that turned into a month. There was a lot that needed doing.

"As soon as we've managed to buy it we have plans to do even more refurbishment.

"We have a beautiful private courtyard round the back of the pub, where we'd like to build a conservatory with couches and small tables where people can enjoy a coffee. This is an idea that is still in the pipeline. We want to do this to offer people something a little different.

"People can only use the courtyard by coming through a pub, so it's a very safe, secure place.

"We have live bands playing here at least once every four weeks."

Mr Smith said The Goat's Head had been at its current site in Skipton Road for at least 245 years. He added the pub's history dates back even further than this, as it used to be based elsewhere in Steeton.

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