A RESTAURANT which has been months in the making has finally opened - and you might just recognise the owners.
The brand new Tom & Nellie's restaurant has made its debut after being opened by gin-makers, Karl and Cathy Mason.
Pictures show how a Grade-II listed building has been transformed into the eatery, which is located on North End in Bedale, North Yorkshire.
The pair, who founded and own Masons Yorkshire Gin, which is now based on the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate, moved into the venue with a strong family connection.
Explaining the connection, Mrs Mason said her grandparents had occupied the building as vergers taking care of St Gregory's church over a number of years.
She said: "We couldn’t turn down the chance to do something with this fantastic building.
"After many happy family memories here, with my grandparents Tom & Nellie - what an honour to open a restaurant in their name.”
But after a four-month refurbishment period, the restaurant opened on August 26 with a well-known North Yorkshire chef at the helm.
Head chef Norman Mackenzie, who previously cooked at The Feversham Arms and Grand Hotel in York, said he had been excited to "link up" with the firm in their new venture.
Mr Mason added: “We are thrilled to be opening a restaurant that serves the people of Bedale and the surrounding area."
The firm hit the headlines in 2019 after their original gin-making distillery was destroyed by a fire, leading to the total loss of the site.
Shocking images revealed how their original distillery in Aiskew, near Bedale, had been gutted by a fire after moving into the premises around two years before.
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