THE landlords of an award-winning traditional pub in the upper dale are calling time after nine years at the helm.
During their tenure at the Strathmore Arms, Holwick, Anthony and Selina Goldstraw racked up four consecutive awards from Darlington CAMRA in recognition of the pub’s vast range of real cider, which would see up to 35 varieties on offer during the summer months.
Most recently, the couple won the Country Cider Pub of the Year award from the real ale group. Last week, however, they announced the end of their time at the pub, posting on social media: “It is with a heavy heart, due to personal circumstances, the Strathmore Arms will not be reopening for the foreseeable future. We would like to thank all of our customers over the past nine years for supporting us and making the Strathmore such a warm and welcoming pub.”
Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the pub has been closed since March, but has offered a drinks takeaway and delivery service. Mr Goldstraw said this service would continue.
For the past two years, the couple have run the Blacksmith’s Arms, in Mickleton, alongside the Strathmore Arms. Mr Goldstraw said it was the intention to reopen the Blacksmith’s Arms once a further easing of lockdown restrictions allows.
The couple are tenants at the Strathmore Arms, which was put up for sale earlier this year with an asking price of £350,000.
Pete Fenwick, pubs officer for Darlington Camra, said he was sad to see the Goldstraws leaving the Strathmore Arms.
“I love the place. It has always been a brilliant pub and Anthony and Selina have brought it back to life.
“The awards it has won are from members voting for it and this shows how much Darlington CAMRA likes it there.”
Mr Fenwick, who runs the Mithril Ales micro brewery, at Aldbrough St John, said he hoped the Strathmore Arms would continue as a pub once its sale was concluded.
“It’s a brilliant pub and a lot of people like the place,” he said. “In winter time it is not always that busy, but in summer they get plenty of tourists and walkers there.
“It is a very desirable pub for people from Mickleton and Middleton,” he added.
“We would not want to see any business shut, especially the only one in the area. I would hate to see the place go.”
