AN OPENING date for The Fleece Pub in Addingham has been set - but locals and tourists can get a flavour of what's to come when the Tour de Yorkshire passes through the village.

The Seafood Pub Company (SPC), the country inn, restaurant and pub group, has acquired the pub as part of its continued expansion drive. Damaged by major fire in 2015, the grade-two listed property has undergone a £1.2million development programme and is due to reopen on May 9.

But those keen to have a look at the new interior design features and sample a reduced menu can do so on Sunday, April 30 and the following Monday.

Antony Shirley, executive chef, Seafood Pub Company, said: “We are all really excited and cannot wait to open. We’ve got a fantastic brigade of chefs who will work with the locals to create menus which include all of their favourites, and of course our signature seafood specials."

Joycelyn Neve, managing director, Seafood Pub Company, added: "We are incredibly pleased to announce our second acquisition of 2017. We are proud to be able to add another fantastic venue to our SPC family. We’ve had a really warm welcome from all the locals and look forward to serving our award-winning food to the people of Addingham and the neighbouring areas.”

Spread across 5,000 sq ft, The Fleece is a classic country inn and has over 250 covers across its main restaurant, private dining, function room and outside terrace.

Leased from Punch Taverns, it will be the first SPC venue to open in Yorkshire with the creation of 25 jobs. It will be closely followed by The Red Lion pub in Harrogate which was acquired in February and expected to open in the summer.

The Seafood Pub Company is backed by Penta Capital and now has 12 sites situated across the Lancashire and Yorkshire area.

It was founded by Joycelyn Neve in 2011 and has since won numerous awards, including the Cateys ‘Pub and Bar Award’ and The Publican’s ‘Best Food Award’ for two years running.

Since its inception the company has grown significantly, now employing approx people across Lancashire, with a turnover exceeding £11 million.