TRADITIONAL charm of a classic Haworth pub will be served up with a subtle American twang thanks to the new landlords of the Black Bull in Main Street.

Seasoned pub boss David Longcake has teamed up with US businessman Jim Winchester to take on the historic pub, once a haunt of Branwell Brontë.

And they are confident their new way of doing business, combined with fresh catering talent from Bradford College, will get the Black Bull back on the path to success.

The friends met as members of a gym in Cullingworth after Jim, from Boston, Massachusetts, moved to the UK with his partner as she cared for her elderly mother.

“Bizarrely, it all started with a conversation in a Jacuzzi back in April,” said former Yorkshire Water worker Mr Longcake.

“I’d left work after 16 years and had been close to taking on another pub when it suddenly fell through.

“I mentioned this to Jim and he asked if I wanted a business partner – and here we are now as tenants at the Black Bull!”

Mr Longcake added: “I’ve worked in pubs since I was 16 and owned Porkies nightclub in Bingley for many years, and after 16 years with Yorkshire Water, I just fancied going back to the wonderful world of beer.

“We are going to take it steadily and make gradual improvements to the place, starting with the ladies’ toilets and the flooring. There are also bedrooms above the pub, which need a good deal of TLC, and other work that needs doing.

“But one of the new things in our business plan is to really improve the food, and probably give it a bit of an American twist.”

Mr Winchester said they had contacted Bradford College and been put in contact with two newly-qualified chefs.

“They are both so creative and this will be a great new experience,” Mr Winchester said.

“One thing I will personally want us to serve are proper American burgers, but made with the best British beef.

“It is so exciting to get the opportunity to manage such an historic pub and get it back to its former glory.

“And Haworth couldn’t be a more beautiful, interesting place to be.”

The Black Bull is owned by Enterprise Inns, which confirmed plans for internal refurbishments and welcomed its new landlords.

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