by Joe Jeffrey
Emmerdale’s Charity Dingle opens up new pub affiliated with Cumbrian caravan park
Television star Emma Atkins, perhaps better known as Charity Dingle in popular soap, Emmerdale, has officially opened a caravan park’s new public house by pulling the first pint of many set to be served up in Cumbria in the Lake District.
Silverdale Holiday Park‘s owner, Michael Holgate, decided to rescue local pub, The Royal, situated in nearby Silverdale, after it had remained empty for six years in a bid to encourage caravanners to utilize nearby facilities within the park’s local area and for those who fancy a change of scenery.
Until recently, local options for visitors to the park were rather limited – but now, following on from giving The Royal a makeover estimated to be worth over £300,000, The Royal has been redesigned to create a warm, welcoming and stylish ambiance.
The Royal’s re-fitted kitchens also now boast state-of-the-art catering technology, and will provide meals both in the bar and the pub’s second-floor dining room.
There will, says Michael, be a strong emphasis on Cumbrian sourced ingredients, complementing the regularly changing selection of different craft ales brewed in Lakeland.
Silverdale Holiday Park has been owned by the Holgate family for 60 years, and provides
over 500 caravan holiday homes, plus touring pitches, and luxury timber-built camping pods.
As well as Silverdale – which won Cumbria Tourism‘s overall holiday park of the year award two years ago – the group also owns five other parks in the region.
“Although we bought The Royal with our own customers in mind, we’re delighted that it will also provide something of a social hub for the local community,” said Michael.
“We are well aware, of course, that in recent years many local pubs have been calling time and closing down – so in some ways we are bucking a national trend.
“However, all the evidence shows that pubs which offer a distinct identity and first-class hospitality, as well as high quality food and drink, will survive and prosper,” he added.
Emma Atkins, whose parents still live in Silverdale, said she was delighted to see The Royal re-open in the village where she grew up, and which holds many happy childhood memories.
