A FIVE star North Yorkshire Coaching inn is under new ownership after being sold from a price tag of £1.25 million.

The Crown Inn in Roecliffe, near Borougbridge, was sold by business property agent Christie & Co on behalf of former owners Karl and Amanda Mainey, who are focussing on another pub venture in a neighbouring village.

The 16th century coaching inn, which achieved AA five-star status, was transformed by the Maineys who took on the property in a dilapidated state before turning it in to an award winning accommodation provider, restaurant and bar.

In a joint statement the couple said: “It is with a heavy heart we leave The Crown, but after 11 fantastic years there we felt the timing was right.

“We aren’t going far and are now focussing our attention on The Wild Swan, in Minskip which we bought a while ago and had been running alongside The Crown.

New owners Joe and Sarah Stuart have taken on the venture after careers in large organisations, most recently positioned overseas.

The pair said: “We set our sights on running a traditional, North Yorkshire coaching inn.

“The Crown met our specific criteria for being highly reputable and having a strong team of staff. The fact that it is ideally situated for those touring Yorkshire or visiting Harrogate is also a plus.

“We are enjoying the new challenge and welcome customers old and new dropping in to say hello.”

David Cash, senior business agent at Christie & Co’s Newcastle office who handled the sale, said; “Coaching inn businesses as good as The Crown Inn rarely come to market and for obvious reasons, we were instructed to find a buyer in a confidential manner.”