Dubbed 'Britain's poshest pub', The Windmill Inn of Linton, near Leeds, has finally swung open its doors again after a temporary closure due to locals being deterred by exorbitant drink prices. The historic tavern, established in 1564, welcomed patrons once more, promising to serve affordable beverages with pints starting at just £4.80.

The establishment unexpectedly shut down in late January following the departure of the previous landlady. High costs were cited by some residents as the reason for avoiding the pub, which is situated in an affluent area known for its high-earning inhabitants and where average house prices on one street hit £1.7 million. The locale has been home to celebrities such as former footballer Rio Ferdinand and actor David Jason, famed for his role as Del Boy.

Now under the new stewardship of Sharon, 58, and Simon Colgan, 59, the inn has reopened, much to the delight of the community. Sharon commented: "Just because you are in a posh area doesn't mean you should have to pay the expensive marked up prices.

"For those who want to pay extra they can - but it isn't necessary if they don't want to. We want to return the pub to its former glory as a place where local residents can enjoy and call their own. We are chuffed to have been able to reopen such a historic site. It is such a stunning building in a wonderful and scenic location. The residents have been so supportive and we are thrilled to be able to give something back to them."

The sudden shutdown of this iconic watering hole occurred on January 24, amidst financial struggles. Three months on, seasoned pub landlords Sharon, 58, and Simon Colgan, 59, have inked a deal to take over the establishment. The couple were approached by Bars and Stars, a company owned by Heineken, who proposed they take on the historic venue. The pair, who manage 12 pubs in partnership across the UK, agreed and signed the documents on April 22. Since then, they've invested £80,000 in refurbishments, including new carpets, a full repaint, French polished tables and chairs, and updated outdoor benches.

They've also purchased new glass washers and a coffee machine. In addition, they've hired a new head chef and upgraded parts of the kitchen with new equipment such as a cooker, utensils, and microwaves. Sharon declared the pub is "worth every penny." She said: "The pubs we are used to are what you would call old man pubs with proper ale and proper pub grub to fill customers' belly. This is a new adventure for us - a little above our pay grade - but we are very excited to see where it takes us."

The Windmill Inn is located in Linton, Yorkshire's most exclusive village. One of its streets, Linton Lane, boasts an average house price of a staggering £1,791,000. There were even rumours that James Bond star Daniel Craig resided in the area, although this was never confirmed.

Sharon has appointed Michelle Landers, 49, and Rob Lamb, 55, as landlords to oversee the day-to-day operations of the business. The pair have previously collaborated with Sharan and Simon, managing one of their initial ventures, The World's End in Knaresborough, North Yorks, half a decade ago.

Michelle expressed: "The community feel of this pub is second to none. While we've been sprucing up the place for its grand reopening, locals have been dropping by to express their gratitude for its return.

"We're absolutely thrilled with the progress so far - we couldn't be happier with the entire project." Sharon and Simon will fork out £4,250 monthly - amounting to £51,000 annually - to keep the establishment operational. She admitted: "It's not cheap but we know it will be worth it. We hadn't intended on acquiring another venue, but given its historical significance and breathtaking location, we simply couldn't resist."

The duo are committed to maintaining affordable prices while providing premium options for those willing to splurge. Beer prices will vary between £4.80 and £5, with an average meal costing approximately £18. The pub also offers shared platters, including a steak and shrimp combo priced at £65.

Their priciest spirit is a single malt whisky, retailing at £7 per serving. Sharon assures that all profits will be reinvested into the pub to ensure its longevity for "a couple hundred more years". Currently, the pub is only dispensing beverages as the upgraded kitchen isn't fully operational yet. However, she anticipates it will be "up and running" within the week. In the meantime, they are serving pizza and burgers in the beer garden.