Kevin Tickle takes on Cumbria’s Crown Inn

Chef Kevin Tickle has bought the Crown Inn in High Newton, Cumbria, with plans to relaunch it as a restaurant focusing on locally sourced ingredients and foraging.

He and his wife Nicola plan to overhaul the kitchen of the 17th-century coaching inn and make a significant investment into the venue.

Tickle said: “The Crown is a great opportunity for us and I’m excited to take what we've learned over the past 20 years and create our own dining destination. I'm passionate about the ingredients we have, literally on our doorstep, and can't wait to get behind the stoves to create something interesting. There’s a lot of work to do before we open, but we’re looking forward to building a great team and make a real success of the Crown.”

His previous roles have included head chef at the Forest Side in Grasmere where, within eight months of opening, the restaurant won a Michelin star, and four AA rosettes the following year. Prior to this he spent nine years working with Simon Rogan in Cartmel.

The Tickles were advised on the acquisition of the business and the lease agreement by Jamie Allison, head of real estate and Cumbria, and David Hill, real estate partner at regional law firm Napthens. The Napthens team also helped source funding for the venture via Penrith-based Enterprise Answers.

Allison said: “We’re lucky to have Kevin in the Lake District – he’s brought genuine creative thinking to every venue he’s worked for and now we’ll find out what he can do when given free reign at his own establishment.

“Both Kevin and Nicola bring wide experience in everything from food to front of house management and marketing. The Crown is in a relatively untapped area of the Lake District and this will give people another reason to visit that part of the region.”

Grahame Latus, chief executive of Enterprise Answers, added: “This was just the type of project we’re keen to support – one which offers local entrepreneurs the chance to build their business and attract people to the area, while creating jobs at the same time. We wish Kevin and Nicola all the best with their venture.”

Landlords of the Crown, the Kennedy family, were advised by Graham Bainbridge at Fylde-based LHT solicitors.