THE remaining part of a disused hospital site may soon see developers moving in to transform it into a pub specialising in craft beers and homemade food.

The Potting Shed Bar and Gardens, a small chain of pubs with outlets already open in Beverley and Bingley, has plans to refurbish the former Rutson Hospital in Northallerton’s High Street which are currently out to public consultation.

The hospital closed to patients in 2008 and the old primary care trust put it on the market in 2012 after hopes it could be redeveloped for voluntary organisations fell by the wayside.

Last year, a large Marks and Spencer food store opened on part of the site behind the High Street, and there were hopes that JD Wetherspoon would take on the space at 78-79 High Street – but the large pub chain abandoned the plans.

JD Wetherspoon said in February last year that due to difficulties in carrying out the building work at the same time as M&S, they had to pull out.

But now funding has allowed Ormsborough Ltd to acquire the freehold of the building, making way for the third in the pub chain.

The company plans to substantially redevelop the property to convert it into a public house under the Potting Shed Bar and Gardens brand.

A spokesman for investors Downing LLP said: “The concept, originally conceived at the company’s first site in the commuter town of Bingley, near Leeds, offers fresh homemade food alongside cocktails, artisan spirits and an on-trend selection of beers in a unique, rustic-but-modern setting. The signature garden sheds and roof terrace are key attractions. The second Potting Shed opened in August 2016 in Beverley, near Hull.

“Our Venture Capital Trust funds invested £500,000 to help Ormsborough open their third Potting Shed, complementing an initial £3.1m investment made from Downing’s investment funds.

“I am delighted that this impressive site has been secured for the third Potting Shed. We are very happy with the progress of the first two sites and we look forward to bringing the irresistible combination of well-invested, on-trend interiors and good old-fashioned hospitality the brand represents to the picturesque town of Northallerton,” said Steven Kenee, partner of Downing LLP.

A spokeswoman for Hambleton District Council said the licensing application is currently out to public consultation, which closes on Thursday, January 19.

She said the application will be approved if no relevant objections are made in that time, as the JD Wetherspoon licence plans had already been approved.

Should relevant objections be received, the plans will be discussed by the authority’s licensing committee on February 15.