The new owners of a Leyburn cafe and bistro have revealed their plans for the business.
Judy Kim and Peter Fullarton took over what was previously Penley’s in Leyburn market place earlier this year.
The venue has been renamed Kim’s Bistro.
The couple have arrived in Leyburn after living around the world, although it is a return to his roots for Peter whose first home was the town’s Golden Lion pub.
He lived in the area while his father was a telephone engineer, before moving to Bedale and then to East Africa when his family moved abroad.
IT specialist Peter went on to work around the world, including Hong Kong where he met Korean-born Judy, a writer, who was studying languages in the country.
The couple continued to move around and lived in the US before moving back to the UK and settling in the Lake District.
They decided to take on the Leyburn business after visiting the Dales on walking holidays.
Peter said the couple aimed to provide a service aimed at local customers, that would also prove popular with visitors to the town.
“We recognise that we can’t survive solely on the tourism traffic so want to focus on what local people want and provide that they will like that will also be appreciated by visitors,” he said.
Peter said they had not made any radical changes to the previous menu, but were adapting it over time when finding out which dishes were popular.
Korean dishes cooked by Judy over the Food and Drink Festival went down well, he added.
“We’re passionate about the environment and reducing our use of plastic.
“We are making our own bread buns and scones, and want to source everything we can from Wensleydale and the local area.
“We are using meat from Aiskew, veg from Snape and Wensleydale Eggs, and will be choosing a local ice cream supplier.”
The couple have refurbished the bistro and kitchen and are working with several local artists, whose works is on display on the walls.
Kim’s is currently open 9am to 4pm, however the couple plan to trial evening openings at the weekends when staffing allows.
