Twins want to own pubs at Askwith, Menston and Apperley Bridge (From Ilkley Gazette)

Twins want to own pubs at Askwith, Menston and Apperley Bridge

9:30am Thursday 5th November 2009

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Twins who lease three local pubs are in negotiations with a nationwide chain to buy all three.

Chris and Nick Green currently lease The Chevin at Menston, the Black Horse, Askwith, and the Stansfield Arms at Apperley Bridge, and have their sights on owning the freehold of all three.

The duo are negotiating with the owners to buy all three locations which form their Greencliffe Taverns business.

Chris and Nick, who run Greencliffe Taverns with their father, Ken, and his partner, Christine, are talking with Enterprise Inns with a view to reaching a deal over buying the freehold.

Chris said: “Our ambition is to own the three pubs and continue developing the business.

“We have invested significantly in all three venues, including re-opening the Black Horse last year, and have worked hard over the past six years to keep them successful.

“In the current climate, while we have looked at other possible venues, we have decided to focus on our existing businesses.” Mr Green said turnover at the Stansfield Arms had grown by 650 per cent in the past six years and Greencliffe had invested heavily in improving the facilities.

Work will start this week to create a mezzanine floor in the pub-restaurant that will provide room for an extra 20 diners.

Chris said the Stansfield continued to buck the trend and was busy most days of the week, with its early-bird meals attracting about 100 diners a week.

He said: “We have worked hard to return the Stansfield to its previous place as a highly regarded pub-restaurant.

“We are also gearing our other pubs to their customer base, with a new pub lunch menu coming in at the Chevin and a carvery served at the Black Horse.”

Greencliffe has also developed a successful outside catering business for a wide range of events, and has the contract for functions at Woodhouse Grove School opposite the Stansfield Arms, where marquee events are also staged, including the Green twins’ recent 40th birthday.

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