The pub won BII Licensee of the Year in 2013 and has garnered a handful of other highly regarded accolades including positions on the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs list and Great British Pub Awards.
The McCarthys took over the pub in 2004, but declared 2009 as the year where things really started for them, which is when the couple bought the freehold.
At the same time, the couple took on the private lease of nearby the Swan in Wighill, with a view to buying the freehold. However, they decided to focus on the Sun later and let the Swan go.
Now, 15 years on, the duo have built up a strong name for themselves in the culinary and pub world, which means demands on their expertise have changed and so the pub must be sold.
“The time is right for us to move on,” said Kelly. “We have numerous other business interests and Ashley has a growing number of commitments from television.”
Ashley, who has created chocolate sculptures for charity as well as handcrafted treats for sale in the pub and elsewhere, will be appearing in a Channel 4 series later this year.
Cookery demonstrations
He and son Ben have also developed a double act performing cookery demonstrations at festivals across the country. Kelly is also chair of the BII Yorkshire Council and a trustee of the BII.
“Ye Old Sun Inn is such a busy pub that our other commitments mean we can’t spend the time we want to in the pub,” said Kelly.
“Each year, the turnover increases but this takes constant work and commitment. For the right operator, the pub will grow even further.”
The couple will continue to run the business while the pub is on the market with MJD Hughes.