Thai Kitchen Opens at White Horse Pub in Ripon After Boroughbridge Exit

Thai Kitchen has launched a new operation at the White Horse pub in Ripon, reopening under operators Leah Ladee and Olé Malathsopha following their exit from a previous Boroughbridge-based venture in May 2025. The concept began service on Thursday at the recently refurbished pub and hotel located on North Street in the city centre.

The move marks a continuation of the duo’s Thai food-led pub dining model, which previously operated at the Black Bull in Boroughbridge from November 2023. The earlier venture introduced Thai cuisine into a traditional pub setting, gaining strong customer feedback before closing less than a year later.

Transition from Boroughbridge to Ripon Location

Leah Ladee and Olé Malathsopha previously ran Thai Kitchen at the Black Bull, a 13th-century pub in Boroughbridge, under a rental agreement with the landlord. The concept combined authentic Thai cooking with a traditional British pub environment, positioning itself as an alternative offering in the local market.

The Boroughbridge operation received positive online reviews and built a steady customer base. However, the operators confirmed that the arrangement no longer aligned with their long-term plans, leading to their decision to exit in May 2025. Following the closure, the Black Bull reverted to operating solely as a drinks-focused pub.

After stepping away, the operators took time to reassess their business direction and identify a new location that better matched their operational and strategic requirements.

New Venue: White Horse Pub and Hotel

The new Thai Kitchen concept is now housed within the White Horse, a refurbished three-star pub and hotel located at 61 North Street in Ripon. The venue offers a central city location with a mix of local residents and visiting customers, providing a different market dynamic compared to Boroughbridge.

According to the operators, the White Horse presented a stronger alignment with their vision, particularly due to its established community presence and positioning within a busier urban setting. The site enables a continuation of the pub-restaurant hybrid model while offering expanded flexibility in menu development and service delivery.

The reopening reflects a broader trend within the UK hospitality sector, where independent food operators partner with pub landlords to utilise underused kitchen spaces and diversify revenue streams.

Menu Expansion and Concept Development

At the Ripon location, the Thai Kitchen offering remains rooted in traditional Thai cuisine but has been expanded beyond the original Boroughbridge menu. The operators stated that the new setup allows for a broader selection of dishes, combining returning customer favourites with additional items.

The menu is designed to integrate with the pub environment while maintaining authenticity in flavour and preparation. This approach reflects a balance between adapting to local dining expectations and preserving the core identity of Thai cooking.

The concept continues to focus on delivering a sit-down dining experience within a casual pub setting, targeting both regular pub customers and diners seeking alternative cuisine options.

Early Customer Response and Market Positioning

Initial customer feedback following the opening has been positive, with early online reviews highlighting consistency in both food quality and service. Social media responses indicate returning customers from the previous Boroughbridge location, alongside new visitors in Ripon.

The reopening has generated early traction, supported by the operators’ existing reputation and local awareness built during their earlier venture. The presence of familiar staff and continuity in the food offering has contributed to customer retention during the transition.

The concept is positioned within the mid-market casual dining segment, operating within a pub framework rather than as a standalone restaurant. This model allows for lower overheads compared to independent restaurant premises while leveraging the footfall of an established pub.

Context: Pub Dining and Independent Operator Models

The relaunch of Thai Kitchen reflects ongoing shifts in the UK pub and restaurant landscape, where hybrid models are increasingly used to sustain operations. Many pubs are incorporating external kitchen operators or specialist cuisines to attract broader customer segments and increase food-led revenue.

For independent chefs and restaurateurs, such arrangements provide access to fully equipped kitchens and established venues without the capital investment required for standalone sites. This approach also allows for faster market entry and operational flexibility.

The transition from Boroughbridge to Ripon demonstrates how operators are refining location strategies based on market fit, customer demographics, and long-term scalability. By relocating to a larger and more central setting, the operators aim to build on their existing customer base while expanding reach.

Thai Kitchen at the White Horse is now operational, with the business focused on establishing itself within the Ripon dining market while maintaining continuity with its previous concept.