Star Pubs honours one of its longest serving licensees

Sue Paling of the Black Horse pub on Church Street in Whitby, Yorkshire, started work at the historic pub as a member of the bar team in 1998 and had been a customer prior to this.

Once Whitby’s youngest publican, having taken stewardship of the pub at the age of 26, she has since become one of Star Pubs’ longest serving licensees after serving the community for the past twenty years.

The pub has also been important to the publican’s family. Paling’s grandfather was a regular at the Black Horse and the operator also employed her mother behind the bar until around 15 years ago, when she retired.

Paling said: “It was a case of right place and right time for me. I had graduated from university in Earth Sciences but fortunately realised rather than follow a career in science I should follow my heart. 

“I felt happiest and most at home at The Black Horse, so when the opportunity came up to take on the lease, I leapt at it. For a short while I also ran The Fleece, but you can’t split yourself in two and customers expect to see the landlord behind the bar.

Wonderful hospitality 

“I love the feel and history of the pub. It’s a characterful cosy two room bar still.  In the past it has been a coaching inn, a funeral parlour, brothel and spirit warehouse. It also has one of the oldest public serving bars in Europe.”

Paling was recently presented with the Star Pubs Long Service Award by area manager Matthew Williams.

Williams said: “The Black Horse may be small, but it has a big role to play in Whitby. It’s a popular tourist destination, a showcase for Yorkshire fayre and wonderful hospitality, and an outstanding fundraiser for great causes. 

“None of this would be possible without Sue’s hard work and total passion for The Black Horse and the local community.  I wish Sue many happy years at The Black Horse, as I am sure do her regulars.”              

During her time at The Black Horse, Paling has invested in upgrading the interior, introduced food, including the pub’s renowned ‘Yorkshire Tapas’, and made the four letting rooms ensuite.  

In addition, the licensee has created 100 jobs over the years, many bar staff working during holidays, like she did once herself. 

Support and friendship

Under Paling’s leadership, The Black Horse has also helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity. 

Since 2016 alone the pub has raised £40,185.00 for Whitby lifeboat from handmade dog bandanas, which are handmade by Paling’s mother using donated material and sold at the pub for £2.50 each.

The pub has also raised £6,000 for Whitby and Scarborough Dog Rescue through sales of Good Dog Walk Guides, which is a list of other dog friendly venues put together by Paling and her partner Ian nine years ago, costing just £1.

Over the past 20 years the Cask Marque accredited pub has won a number of awards including from The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and the 2014 Whitby Gazette pub of the year.

Paling added: “I have loved and continue to love running The Black Horse and have no intention of leaving it anytime soon.

“We have some fantastic customers many of whom are holidaymakers who come back time and again.  It has been lovely making friends and welcoming new residents to the area. Thank you to my lovely customers for all your support and friendship and to my hardworking staff.”