The community has ‘mucked in’ to help them reopen after they were kicked out
Landlords David Holmes and Steve Hitchcock of The Sportsman, Morley(Image: Samuel Port)
A pair of Leeds landlords are pleased the “fight is over” after reclaiming their community pub, three years after they were kicked out by a large pub company.
David Holmes and Steve Hitchcock, 34 and 63, are “over the moon” The Sportsman, on Hunger Hill, in Morley, is back open for business. It was done with the help of a “community effort” with lots of people “mucking in” where possible.
Father-of-four David ran the pub with his wife Melanie Robinson for two years, until they were abruptly told to leave in 2023 by former owners, pub company Admiral Taverns.
The couple had been passionate about the pub prior to its closure, having previously agreed with Admiral Taverns to purchase it for the same price back in 2022 – but said Admiral Taverns made an abrupt U-turn at the time. The pub company then put it on the market.
David and Steve have refurbished the interior with help from the community(Image: Samuel Port)
With the help of Steve, who was a longtime customer, who had been patronising the establishment for 36 years, they managed to have the premises classified as a community asset. They eventually acquired it for £275,000 – £100,000 less than what was previously being demanded.
David said: “I feel very happy about it. Now, were’ building the business to what it used to be. That fight’s done now, and it’ll never been taken from us again, or away from the community, again.
“I was over the moon – but I was happy in the end when they [Admiral Taverns] actually helped us to sort the things out.”
Landlords David Holmes and Steve Hitchcock of The Sportsman, Morley(Image: Samuel Port)
Steve added: “I feel we won our argument. I think Admiral Taverns saw what we were trying to achieve, and we worked together. Three years ago, it was an argument and a battle. Those things calmed down.
“They could have fully blocked it, but they let us buy it and we’re very grateful for that. We just wanted to get our community pub open again.”
They managed to seal the contract on April 7, and they reopened its doors 11 days later on Saturday, April 18. Dave says one of the best things about owning the establishment is being able to do anything they like to improve the building. They’ve given the establishment a full makeover, with a fresh lick of paint and reupholstered décor, and have plans to make vast improvements to the beer garden.
Steve and David will be installing a new bar and kitchen in the beer garden(Image: Samuel Port)
Steve spoke about the huge community drive behind the project. The father-of-one said: “A lot of people came in and offered help. A lot of people came in and offered help. Dave’s got a big family, a lot of them came in. Lots of former customers helped. Everyone’s done a bit of this. We know electricians.
“Even people doing the bedding plants outside, mowing the grass, jet washing and brought their own equipment in. It’s all man hours, help and labour. Big team effort, lots of people have been involved.”
Landlords David Holmes and Steve Hitchcock of The Sportsman, Morley(Image: Samuel Port)
The pair are currently building an outdoor bar and kitchen in the beer garden. They’ve acquired sponsorship from a supplier, who will be paying for a T-bar and all the lines. They’re hoping it will help cater for club events, like local football, rugby and kids teams who visit, with simple pub-grub food like hot dogs, burgers and pizzas.
David said: “That’s the main thing. So that families can come here. Sometimes we have a bit of a karaoke and sing with the kids, as well. We’re here for families. I’m a family person, myself.”
David and Steve are converting the upper levels into flats(Image: Samuel Port)
They’re also currently converting the two upper floors into two separate flats. There’s also the benefit of no longer being tied to a brewery or a pub company, so they can decide what beers they serve.
Steve said: “It’s definitely been different. It’s different being an owner, rather than a punter.”
Dave added: “It’s good for us both. As we can now do what we want with the building, bring more business in and make it better for people who come in.”
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