'People are just pleased to have their pub back'

Craig and Claire Morris are the new tenants of the Farmers Arms in Muker

BBC/JULIA LEWIS A man wearing a black top and patterned trousers is standing next to a woman with a yellow cardigan, white shirt and blue jeans.
Sitting in front of them is a black spoodle dog.
They are all in front of a white building with a sign saying "Farmers Arms" and there are wooden picnic benches either side. — Craig and Claire Morris are the new tenants of the Farmers Arms in Muker

A rural pub part owned by former PM Rishi Sunak has become a "vital hub" for the village since it was reopened by the local community.

The Farmers Arms, in Muker, had been on the market for two years before it was bought by the Muker Community Benefit Society.

More than 500 shareholders - including Mr Sunak - helped raise over £500,000 to purchase the venue and bring it back into use.

New landlords Claire and Craig Morris said: "People are just pleased they've got their pub back, and we're pleased we've done it for them."

Former PM Rishi Sunak has supported community pubs

A man with dark hair and wearing a white shirt is sitting at a table holding a white cup.
There are people eating in the background. — Former PM Rishi Sunak has supported community pubs

Muker Community Benefit Society (MCBS) first mooted plans to buy and reopen The Farmer's Arms in 2023, and when shares went live in April more than 100 applications were registered on the first day.

By the end of June the group had raised more than £500,000 and in July agreed the sale of the pub, finally reopening the venue in on 4 September.

Since then, the pub has won recognition from CAMRA and become part of rural life once more.

Justin Jupp from the MCBS said: "This village and this pub have such a draw to so many people.

"It is a hub. There's a lot of single elderly people in the village and so having somewhere where they can come and strike up a conversation is absolutely vital for their connections.

"There's been such a vibe about it, it's been incredible. Somebody said they were walking down the road and you can hear the chatter in the pub, it couldn't have gone better."

MCBS secretary Justin Jupp said the pub was "vital" to village life

BBC/JULIA LEWIS A man with grey hair and a beard, wearing a green top is standing in front of some pictures on a wall. — MCBS secretary Justin Jupp said the pub was "vital" to village life

Landlords Claire and Craig Morris moved from Dudley to the Yorkshire Dales to take over the running of the pub.

Claire said: "The people have been so welcoming, friendly and helpful, it's just a fantastic way of life.

"People are just pleased they've got their pub back and we're pleased we've done it for them."

Speaking in February in support of the buyout, Mr Sunak said: "The village pub is so important in a rural area – not just economically in terms of providing employment – but in bringing people together and providing a focus for a strong community."

Paul, Andy, Liz and Alison enjoyed their ham, egg and chips at the Farmers Arms

BBC/JULIA LEWIS Four customers, two men and two women are sitting at a table in a pub eating ham, egg and chips.
They have paused to raise their glasses of drinks. — Paul, Andy, Liz and Alison enjoyed their ham, egg and chips at the Farmers Arms

Mrs Morris said the pub had been busy since reopening, with customers coming from far and wide.

Holidaymakers Paul, Andy, Liz and Alison were among the punters enjoying ham, egg and chips.

Liz said: "Pubs like this bring the whole community together and visitors can enjoy it as well".

Andy added: "We like to visit the small villages with character and it's wonderful to see a pub operating in the way it does for the benefit of the community."

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