New fine wine shop launched in Knaresborough

There’s a new name on Knaresborough’s retail scene, following the opening of a new fine wine shop in the Old Town Hall in Market Square.
Cathy Meddows-Taylor, co-founders Craig Buchan and Luke Morland, and Mark Johnson outside Reuben & Grey, the fine wine shop they have opened in Knaresborough. PHOTO: Simon Dewhurst.Cathy Meddows-Taylor, co-founders Craig Buchan and Luke Morland, and Mark Johnson outside Reuben & Grey, the fine wine shop they have opened in Knaresborough. PHOTO: Simon Dewhurst.
Cathy Meddows-Taylor, co-founders Craig Buchan and Luke Morland, and Mark Johnson outside Reuben & Grey, the fine wine shop they have opened in Knaresborough. PHOTO: Simon Dewhurst.

Reuben & Grey is the brainchild of hospitality and wine specialist Luke Morland, who plans to quickly open a chain of wine shops and high-end delicatessens across the region.

Knaresborough born and bred, Mr Morland is well-known locally having spent time in front-of-house management at Goldsborough Hall and running the Bay Horse gastropub in the village for the last five years.

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He is also planning to open a complementary delicatessen in the next couple of months and is currently searching for suitable premises in the district.

Mr Morland said: “Over the last year, we’ve seen a real shift in the way people shop and eat. While the high street has suffered from the rise in online retail, consumers are also shopping more intelligently and wisely – they want to know the story behind what they buy. They are now concerned with picking items correctly and ensuring that they have been locally sourced, and we want to be a vehicle to enable them to do this.”

He added: “Our plan is that the Reuben & Grey name will be synonymous with the best of local, ethically-produced food and drink. We will be showcasing Yorkshire artisan suppliers both through our fine wine store and, later, through our gourmet deli, and we believe that there is real public support for an initiative like this where people can have a personal connection with produce while also supporting local businesses.

“With my background in the hospitality sector, I am also convinced that if we are able to give customers an amazing experience and outstanding service, they will keep coming back to us. We will be recruiting people with a real passion for what we do and training them so that they can share their knowledge and enthusiasm with our customers.”

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The shop premises, at 33 Market Place, are in a Grade II listed building dating back to 1862, and have been refurbished to create a quirky wine and spirits emporium. Reuben & Grey has partnered with several Yorkshire-based wine merchants, all of whom deal direct with the winemakers to ensure provenance and quality.

The business is offering online ordering for collection or delivery via a liveried Reuben & Grey three-wheeled Piaggio Ape classic van.

Mr Morland said: “We are fortunate that Yorkshire has become a centre of excellence for artisan food and gin producers and we want to celebrate this by offering well-sourced, well-displayed products which customers can have fun choosing and enjoying at home.

“People seem to have re-discovered their love of fine food and wine over the last year, and we are looking forward to helping them to continue that journey.”

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