Chef Simon Salt takes over lease of White Bull pub in Gisburn, Lancashire

Chef Simon Salt has taken on the lease of the White Bull in Gisburn, Lancashire, and is hoping to re-open it in late November.

Salt is a former BBC MasterChef: The Professionals quarter-finalist, Lancashire Young Chef of the Year, North West Young Chef of the Year and Gordon Ramsay Scholar finalist. He previously worked at the Michelin-starred Northcote, Lancashire, and the Devonshire Arms, Yorkshire, as well as establishments in Wales and Spain.

He and his team are now planning a £380,000 refurbishment of the 70-capacity pub and beer garden, with a view to offering good food from local suppliers, plus beer and cask ales.

The refurbishment will also include an upgrade on the existing four, plus the addition of four new letting rooms and a 150-capacity function room intended for private hire, for events such as weddings, parties and business meetings.

The pub is part of the Star Pubs & Bars group, the leased division of Heineken UK.

Salt said: "I was delighted when I found the White Bull as it ticked all my boxes. It's a lovely characterful pub in a great location. It also has an important role to play with the community, which I'm looking forward to becoming a part of. It is going to be a real village pub where people can eat and drink at affordable prices."

Chris Jowsey, trading director of Star Pubs & Bars, said that Salt was a talented and visionary chef, whose plans for the pub would be beneficial to the village and local community.

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