Samuel Smith Old Brewery looking for new landlords for Spalding's Ye Olde White Horse

A popular Spalding pub is on the lookout for new landlords as it bids to re-open its doors.

It has been more than three years since time was called on the town-centre Ye Old White Horse.

But Yorkshire-based Samuel Smith Old Brewery are advertising for ‘a couple’ to get the popular 16th century pub and restaurant - known for its distinctive thatched roof - up and running once again.

“We’re looking for a couple to run the White Horse. It’s a lovely pub with a lot of history,” said the brewery’s area manager, who opted not to give his name.

“We’re looking for a couple who would live in and jointly manage it.

“They would be salaried and the brewery would pay all the expenses on the flat, the heating and everything.

“The only thing they’d have to pay is their council tax, so they’ll live and eat very economically.”

No pints have been poured at the Churchgate venue since September 2019, when previous landlords Sean Packham and Jason Kibble moved on.

While Samuel Smith - who have owned the venue for more than 80 years - acknowledge they ‘hadn’t had much interest’ in the vacancy so far, the firm believes the venue would be a big draw for the right applicants.

“It’s always been a good pub in Spalding and we’d love to get a couple in to manage it,” the area manager added.

“We’re a small brewery but we’ve always looked after the pub and kept it in good order.

“We’d love to get it up and running. We don’t have a presence in Spalding at present.

“It’s a bit of an outpost as the brewery is based in Tadcaster but the brewery’s owned the pub for a very long time, long before the war.”

There are approximately 200 Samuel Smith’s pubs operating in the country, mostly in the north of England.

The brewery was first opened in 1758, and prides itself on being Yorkshire’s oldest brewery.

Their pubs describe themselves as ‘proudly independent’, adding: “Samuel Smith’s pubs are proud to not stock any products owned by corporations.

“All products are either produced at our brewery established in 1758, or are sourced from fellow independent producers.”

The spokesman said the brewery prefers a couple to run their pubs because they find it ‘works better’.

Anyone interested in the role is asked to call 07771 555 354 before the closing date on December 9.