Former Keighley Cougars rugby league player Steve Mortimer and his partner Fay Howell have stepped in to save a Yorkshire pub that was last in their family in the 1930s.
They’ve purchased The Turkey Inn near Oakworth, in the hamlet of Goose Eye, after locals campaigned to save it from being sold off for housing development.
Prior to that, it had been closed for 15 months and was starting to fall into disrepair.
Supporters had raised £60,000 but that wasn’t enough on its own for a community buy in.
So Steve and Fay made an additional offer, pledging as part of it that The Turkey would remain as a pub for the local area to enjoy.
They only live a stone’s throw from the pub themselves, last visiting in March 2020 before it was forced to close due to coronavirus. Up until then, they’d been regular customers at The Turkey – often popping in after long dog walks on the moors or for mid-week meals.
Fay even admits she wanted to buy it the first time they stepped foot inside, so the acquisition is really a dream come true.
“Lots of people thought we were mad buying a closed pub during a national pandemic, but it felt right and now we’re finally able to open!” said Steve.
“We’re excited about the future and are keen to take The Turkey Inn back to its roots, making it a traditional, country pub with roaring fires, a cracking Sunday roast as well as a spot to get home cooked mid-week meals.
“We want to embed the pub firmly back into the heart of the Goose Eye community. We will be doing everything we can to keep customers and staff safe while enjoying a pint or a meal in a relaxed dining environment.
“We pinch ourselves every day that this special pub we used to call our local, is now ours.”
