One of the county's oldest facilities is to be renovated by the owner and revive after being leased to pub and restaurant operators.
The Counthouse in Pontefract is a half-dubbed Grade II list building dating back to 1609 and has begun to welcome customers again next month, emptying for over 12 years.
The property, which is believed to be used in its construction, was originally a seller's counthouse, but was later subdivided into residential residences.
Later, Malcolm, the late father of current owner Guy Lister, and Malcolm, the architect who renovated an old building and turned it into a pub and restaurant, bought it in the 1980s and rescued it, and won a conservation award, it was used as a pub for almost 30 years.
However, it was empty since the last tenants closed the pub in 2012.
Guy Lister has recently invested heavily in restoration work, including rendering limes, filling and re-roofing, which includes buildings gaining a positive future.
Andrew Spencer
He placed real estate in the market for sale or placed Barry Crux & Company, a York-based commercial real estate expert.
“We are pleased to announce that our company is offering a wide range of services and services,” said Andrew Spencer, agency director for Barry Crux & Company. “We are truly pleased to have completed counthouse lettings and to know that experienced pub and restaurant operators have great plans for that future.
“The Count House is a valuable and highly beloved listed building that has been restored to a very high standard by freeholders that are enforced in line with various restrictions, taking into account the listed status.
“It is a building full of charm, character and history with Georgia windows and Victorian fireplaces, and of course there is a positive future.
“Of course, new operators will make their own announcements about the plans, but the final bit of fitouts, such as kitchens, will be completed in the coming weeks and will open the door to the paid public in March.”
The Town Centre facility has a lounge bar on both the ground and the ground floor, and the restaurant area has a space for diners of around 60 people. There is also a roof terrace.
Spencer added: “This is great news for the people of Pontefract and the surrounding area, and it was very clear in the appointment of this property that it was only used as a luxury facility.
“It's great that it's been a pub for a lot of its history, so it's great that it's being brought back to its use and we know it's done in a sensitive way.”
