A LANDLORD and chef who started learning the industry as a child has been named licensee of the year in the 2020 Good Pub Guide.

Nigel Stevens, of the Wyvill Arms, in Constable Burton, near Leyburn, grew up in pubs run by late father Roger and mother Terry across the North-East and North Yorkshire, including several in Wensleydale.

The Wyvill is a family affair with Terry, sister Vicky and youngest daughter Simone working with him at the pub, hotel and restaurant on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales which bought 20 years ago and has been improving and expanding ever since.

Eldest daughter Nicole is also working in the industry and last year became the youngest licensee holder in the Isle of Mann where she ran The Bay pub and restaurant in Port Erin.

He said: "Running a pub and restaurant, especially on a rural area, is a real challenge these days due to a number of factors.

"Sky high rates, competition from supermarkets, availability of staff and the ever-increasing high expectations of customers, which are raised further by the numerous cookery programmes on TV, put a strain on all those in the industry.

"But if you work hard, value your staff and keep your eye on the ever-changing trends, you're halfway there.

"At the Wyvill we always try to employ local people and use local suppliers. A landlord is only as good as his staff and suppliers and we are very lucky to have a great team.

"I'm really happy the award has come north because there are a lot of great landlords and landladies in the region who don't get the appreciation they deserve."

The Wyvill Arms is a regular in the Good Pub, Good Food and Michelin guide books.

For more details, visit http://www.thewyvillarms.co.uk/