West Yorkshire Operator Takes on Three Star Pubs Leases

TL Inns, run by Tony Lumb, has taken on three Star Pubs leases in West Yorkshire and is currently undertaking refurbishments at all three sites: The George Inn in central Leeds, The Black Bull in Shepley and The Will O’Nats in Huddersfield.

This latest move brings Tony’s estate to 13 pubs and venues, comprising six Star Pubs tenancies and seven freeholds. His portfolio ranges from food-led pubs and wet-only locals to entertainment venues and a nightclub.

TL Inns had been running The Black Bull and The Will O’Nats for the past 18 months and has turned around what were previously underperforming sites.

The joint £167,000 investment in The Black Bull is adding a sports zone, redecorating the interior and exterior, and introducing new signage to complement the improved décor, which is better suited to the affluent area in which the pub is located.

The Will O’Nats, a popular destination food pub, is benefiting from a £126,000 investment in an external makeover and new signage, alongside a full internal upgrade. This includes new bric-a-brac, furniture and flooring, as well as the installation of a Smart Dispense system.

The most recent addition to Tony’s portfolio is The George Inn, located in LS1, next to Leeds General Infirmary and close to the courts and civic centre.

A £430,000 investment will see the pub reopen in mid-November as an Irish bar called The Galway Girl, following a four-year closure. The investment is expected to create 15 jobs.

The Galway Girl will be TL Inns’ second Irish pub. Its first, also called The Galway Girl, opened in Pontefract in 2024 and has been a runaway success ever since.

The investment will fund a complete overhaul of the pub’s interior and exterior, creating a traditional, pared-back Victorian-style city pub. The small courtyard garden will also be upgraded with new Murphy’s-themed barrel-style tables, chairs and planters.

Inside, the pub will feature a two-bar layout, with one bar on the ground floor and a second bar and function area in the basement. The basement bar will also be available for private functions.

Weekly entertainment at The Galway Girl will include live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a weekly quiz, rock ’n’ roll bingo and daily Sky Sports across five TVs.

The pub will also offer barista-style coffee, brunches and all-day food, with a promise of quick service for customers with limited time.

The drinks range will include three cask ales and a selection of premium beers and lagers, including Murphy’s, Guinness, Cruzcampo and Heineken. There will also be a selection of wines, spirits, freshly made cocktails and low- and no-alcohol options.

Tony Lumb says: “I am moving away from freeholds as banks aren’t keen to lend to hospitality businesses, and I value the relationship I have with Star Pubs, with whom I now have six leases. I find Star Pubs better to work with than local operators and landlords. We have a shared investment vision, which works, and they do what they say they’re going to do. You know where you are with them.

“I am also undertaking a refurbishment of my freehold nightclub, Big Fellas in Pontefract. I was told the only reason I got a loan to do this was because of my reputation and trading history.

“We’ve had tremendous success with our first Irish pub, The Galway Girl in Pontefract. I have every confidence that the new one will be equally popular, breathing new life into a derelict building. The location and bones of the pub are great. It will be really lovely once it has had investment and a sympathetic refurbishment.

“Authentic Irish pubs, as opposed to theme pubs, are having a moment. People want the craic, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and live entertainment that they associate with a proper Irish pub.”

Star Pubs Investment Manager Len Jackson says: “Tony is a hugely experienced operator with 38 years’ experience running pubs, the first of which he managed aged 19.

“He has a great track record of turning around pubs and creating popular spaces for people to socialise in. Good standards, excellent products, customer service and entertainment underpin his success. I look forward to raising a pint of Murphy’s when the pub opens. Sláinte!”