A POPULAR and historic country pub has new owners.

The Woodman Inn at Thunderbridge, Kirkburton, has been sold to Leslie Country Inns – a company headed by director Craig Leslie, the son of entrepreneur and former Huddersfield Town chairman Graham Leslie.

In a brief statement, Leslie Country Inns said it planned to “refurnish and reinvigorate the business and take this beautiful inn into its next era”.

Craig Leslie, whose business is based in Barnsley, was unavailable to comment on the move.

The deal ends two years of uncertainty for the pub, which dates from the 18th century and is a popular venue for social functions such as weddings.

The pub was put up for sale in November 2010 by York-based owners Chennell & Armstrong Ltd as part of a disposal programme prompted by the impending retirement of one of its directors.

But it was taken off the market again in March last year.

Now the sale of the Woodman has gone through – marking the end of Chennell & Armstrong’s involvement in the pub trade.

The company was formed in 1817 as a wine importer and wholesaler before entering the pub market in the 1950s.

Over the years, Chennell & Armstrong has owned several well-known pubs and bars in the North of England, including ones in Leeds, York and Barnsley.

The owners of the business, who acquired The Woodman in 1996, now plan to retire.

The Woodman, which has a four-star rating from the AA, is a Grade II listed property with bar, a restaurant seating about 80, a separate reception bar and breakfast room and 12 en-suite letting bedrooms.

It was sold to Leslie Country Inns for an undisclosed sale price following confidential marketing through joint agents Quest Property Sales, of Sheffield, and the Leeds office of national specialist leisure property agents Fleurets.

Craig Leslie’s purchase of The Woodman follows his backing for plans by Shelley Community Football Club Ltd to develop the sports facilities at nearby Storthes Hall.

The club has taken on the soccer pitches on the former hospital site and has already hosted local soccer finals.

They plan to build a new clubhouse and dressing rooms on the site.