Husband and wife return by taking on The Railway in Skipton

Neil and Tanya Thompson served the Craven community for over 70 years between them before they decided to call it a day three years ago.

The pair were all set to enjoy a well-earned retirement.

However all that changed once a certain Skipton venue landed on the market.

The pair have taken on The Railway in Skipton (Image: UGC) "We retired three years ago and we got bored. For both me and my wife it is all we have known," Neil told the Craven Herald.

"One of my daughters had left home and the other had just finished uni and was going down her own career path.

"It just coincided that we sold the last business. We tried retirement but it was not for us.

"It (The Railway on Cavendish Street) came on the market a couple of years ago and we quite liked it.

"It was then taken off so when it came back on we went to have a look and we both said 'yes' straight away."

Between them they had been serving the Craven community for over 70 years (Image: UGC) The Railway is a pub, restaurant and B&B located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

It serves those having a drink in the traditional bar, dining in the restaurant, or staying in the six rooms up for let.

Asked if any changes would be made, Neil reverted to the old saying, "if it's not broken, why fix it".

He added: "It runs superbly as it is, so nothing needs changing whatsoever.

"It is just a lovely local atmosphere and crowd. Excellent food and just a nice environment.

"We took it on at the start of last month (Friday, November 8) and it has been very busy since.

"It does have a very good reputation. The team that are running it are superb.

"We have got loads of bookings for Christmas. We do a full roast on Sundays then the steak night which is usually all fully booked. Everything is homemade.

"We always have loads of locals come in for the social aspect. Then from 5pm people start coming in with kids for early teas then you have got your couples and parties coming in."

The Railway is a pub, restaurant and B&B located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. (Image: UGC) Before taking The Railway on, the couple had ran Cracoe Cafe for 12 years, and previously had the Queens Arms at Litton.

When they first took the pub on, Neil was the youngest landlord in Wharfedale, and when they left 18 years later, he was the longest serving.

Previous to that, he was at the Craven Cottage Restaurant, Grassington, and before that, at Long Ashes, Threshfield.