Comedy star’s serious mission to rescue village pub

11:58am Monday 14th April 2008

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WHEN he opens his pub serving fine food and drink later this year, actor Neil Morrissey, will be hoping there will be no men behaving badly at the prestigious event.

The voice of Bob The Builder, along with friend Richard Fox, is buying a North Yorkshire village pub and between them they aim to renovate and transform the establishment.

The actor is also due to start brewing his own beer at Ye Olde Punch Bowl, in Marton-cum-Grafton, between Green Hammerton and Boroughbridge, which dates back to the 17th century.

Fox, a trained chef who also has a successful television career, and Morrissey believe that they can reverse the misfortunes of the village pub and run a successful business.

Mr Morrissey, 45, said: "It is great to be involved in an industry which many people think has ended up on its bum. We want to bring some love and passion back to the village pub. There are some great farmers and great produce literally on the doorstep - and this food is what we will be using. We want the pub to become the jewel in the crown for coming to eat and drink in Yorkshire."

Mr Fox, 44, said: "We will be sourcing the very best local produce and plan to create a great place and plan to create a great place to come and eat and drink."

Once the contract is signed, work will get underway to renovate the pub and drinkers will then be able to sample the first ale from the Morrissey-Fox microbrewery.

It is not the first time Morrissey has ventured into the pub trade - he bought the Browns Hotel at Laugharne in South Wales for a reported £670,000 in 2004. The pub was sold for £1.5 million.