Olympic champion Jack dives “inn” to mark Ripon reopening

Gold medal-winning diver Jack Laugher MBE joined The Inn Collection Group at The Ripon Inn last week as the pub with rooms operator’s latest reopening made a splash on its return from a multi-million-pound refurbishment.

The third and final re-opening in North Yorkshire this year, The Ripon Inn has seen a complete overhaul of the venue both inside and out with a new, warm and welcoming pub sited in six acres of gardens in the heart of the city.

Undertaken in partnership with Silverstone Building Consultancy and STP Construction, the new look adopts The Inn Collection Group’s feel and atmosphere.

The interiors have been created in conjunction with Newcastle-based studio Design North, who have used opulent furnishings throughout alongside warming fires and big, well-stocked bars.

Formerly referred to as the Turf Tavern, The Ale House is a dedicated real ale hub within the inn with six pumps installed to make a real showcase of a wide array of tipples, with Black Sheep, Rooster’s Brewing Company and Theakston’s amongst the first to be represented.

It is the first in The Inn Collection Group’s estate to have such a space and has been adopted to maintain this well-loved point of difference from the inn’s previous guise.

As part of his visit, Laugher pulled one of the first pints of Yorkshire Pale Ale to be served by the inn, fitting considering his status as one half of the duo that won Great Britain’s first-ever diving gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

The return also sees a significant boost to the city’s bedroom capacities for visitors, with an additional 18 being created by the conversion of the redundant ballroom area on the ground floor.

Offering a mix of single, twin and double configurations, The Ripon Inn also has accessible rooms and family rooms with bunk beds, opening up its appeal to a wider range of potential residents.

As at the group’s other re-openings in North Yorkshire this year (The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn) the installation of a state-of-the-art kitchen, including a specialist broiler grill is set to establish the venue as a go-to place in Ripon for deliciously cooked, pub-style food.

Welcoming its first staying guests from Monday, October 16, The Ripon Inn is well-positioned to be the perfect place from which to eat, drink, sleep and explore.

Commenting following the re-opening, group CEO of The Inn Collection Group Sean Donkin said: “The Ripon Inn is a fantastic addition to our estate. It has huge potential and I think our teams and our partners have realised the exciting vision that we had for the property when we bought it back in 2021.

“Following on from the well-received re-openings of The Harrogate Inn and The Knaresborough Inn, I am excited for Ripon to open and for the revitalisation of this classic, landmark site to start in earnest.

“We’ve created what we hope is a welcoming place to enjoy food, drinks and company whilst at the same time, taking care to retain the unique, historic character of the building.

“Adding 18 new bedrooms, we now have 58 on site which is a significant boost to the city’s overall occupancy, and I am excited for our teams giving our guests a warm welcome to our latest inn.”