It has been three years since last orders were called at a popular village pub - but now the doors have reopened once again following a buyout and a major renovation. 

The Station, in Picton, was snapped up earlier this year by builder Daniel Robinson and his business partner Geoffrey Robinson after the venue failed to sell at auction. 

The duo set out with a mission to bring the village pub - which is thought to be more than 150 years old - back to the community, and got straight to work on major renovations. 

The Station in Picton The Station in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

This included demolishing and rebuilding part of the building and adding a new restaurant, toilets, kitchen, and car park - all while trying to keep its original charm.

And after months of work, Daniel and Geoffrey opened the Long Lane pub, near Yarm, in late October, and have already been inundated with rave reviews about the “fantastic” new look. 

The Station owners Daniel and GeoffThe Station owners Daniel and Geoff (Image: Stuart Boulton)

Inside The Station, in PictonInside The Station, in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

Pictures taken from The Station last week show how the venue has been transformed, fusing the traditional cosy pub and its roaring fire to a modern restaurant for diners to enjoy great food and a selection of real ales. 

Daniel, who is running The Station with his wife Yvonne and their four children, said everything has been “spot on” so far.

Inside The Station, in PictonInside The Station, in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton) Inside The Station, in PictonInside The Station, in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The 46-year-old said: “It’s all new - we did try to keep some things but it is now all brand new. The job did grow - I knew how big of a job it was but it was the cost that got to me. 

“We’ve got a brand new kitchen and have rebuilt the restaurant but we have tried to leave the original pub with its original charm.

"We have got a great team of staff here - and without them all this wouldn't be possible."

Inside The Station, in PictonInside The Station, in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton) Inside The Station, in PictonInside The Station, in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

Yvonne, 44, added: “Daniel is a builder and he did all the design alongside Geoff. 

“Then when it came to the interior, I had more of a say! We‘ve been open for four weeks and the amount of bookings taken... the people coming [are] all positive. 

“The villagers are just overwhelmed about it - they have been thanking us that we did it. We wanted our village pub back.” 

Daniel, who has lived on his family’s farm in Picton all his life, admitted that the project had cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, ahead of opening to the community officially in late October. 

Daniel and Geoffrey as renovations got underwayDaniel and Geoffrey as renovations got underway (Image: Daniel Robinson)

But before the full launch, The Station hosted its first party in the form of a buffet for 100 people, with Daniel joking: “We had to open for that and we were just about ready - there weren't many pictures on the wall but we had flushing toilets!”

Despite only being open for a matter of weeks, the pub has already had its fair share of positive reviews, with one happy customer saying: "Just had my first Sunday Lunch at the Station and it was absolutely beautiful.

The Station in Picton The Station in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

The Station in PictonThe Station in Picton (Image: Stuart Boulton)

"Everything on the plate was cooked to perfection. Lovely atmosphere and friendly professional staff. Would highly recommend."

Daniel previously told The Echo how the village pub had been “greatly missed by all” since it closed, with the watering hole already having a long history in the village. 

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The pub is located close to the old railway station, near the original main line built by the Leeds Northern Railway in 1852. The line still operates with trains between Northallerton and Yarm.

There was a side line, the Picton to Battersby Junction, which served Stokesley - although this was closed many years ago. 

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