A long-serving landlady has purchased the freehold of an historic pub in the centre of Addingham.

Maria Wells, who has been running The Crown Inn, on Main Street, for ten years, has achieved her goal of purchasing the freehold of the 17th Century coaching inn from a pub company, with the help of a six-figure loan from NatWest. The loan was part of the Government’s Funding for Lending programme.

It has enabled her to refurbish the pub area as well as refresh and extend the bed and breakfast facilities.

She said: “Investing in buying the freehold was a no-brainer for me as the mortgage is more affordable than my rent was previously.

“This really gives me the independence to ensure I can run the pub on my terms and keep it very traditional, very local, as this is what my customers want.”