A VILLAGE pub has re-opened for the first time since August.

The Deramore Arms in Heslington closed last summer after licensees Ed Mason and Pete Atkinson returned the keys to owners Greene King, saying the pub was proving financially unviable.

The former licensees said they took no income from running the pub and invested £100,000 of their own money for refurbishment and to underwrite losses.

A letter sent out to neighbours shortly after its closure stated: “The bottom line is that, sadly, despite our best efforts and dedication over the past five years, we have not been able to make a financial success of the pub.

“In short we have given it our best shot, in challenging times.

“We wish the next operator the very best of luck in making a success of a lovely pub that deserves a bright future.”

Greene King initially believed the pub would re-open in October but the date was put back until last Friday when it finally re-opened.

It is now under the new management of experienced York publican Matthew Clark and Leah King.

Mr Clark moved to York from Bolton, but has a pedigree in the city after previously managing St Clements Working Men’s Club.

A message post on the pub’s new Facebook page said the new management team were looking forward to welcoming people into the pub.

It said: “Matt, Leah and the team look forward to meeting and greeting all customers new and old.

“A warm welcome, great home cooked food and a fantastic range of drinks awaits you.”

Mr Clark told The Press: “All the food in the kitchen is home cooked and ingredients are freshly sourced from butchers in York.

“We have a wide selection of cask ales and a wide variety of spirits.”

Mr Clark has a new team behind the bar after he brought staff with him to run the pub.

He believes his background and new team puts him in a position to make a success of a business which has struggled in recent times.

“The food will be a selling point because we have a great chef in Thomas Alton,” he added.

“We know the area and think we can give it a good go of making it a success,”