Roots (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Tommy Banks, Matthew Lockwood |
| Headquarters | York , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Dining |
Roots is a dining establishment located on Marygate, just to the north of York's city centre in England.
The structure was initially built as the Bay Horse public house between 1893 and 1894, replacing an earlier establishment of the same name situated across the street. Created by architects Walter and Arthur Penty, it was managed by Eve and Arthur Briggs from 1951 until 1986. Under the ownership of Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries, the pub ceased operations in 2004. Although there was a plan in 2007 to repurpose the building into office spaces with residential flats, it resumed functioning as a pub in 2008.
In 2018, chef Tommy Banks and entrepreneur Matthew Lockwood converted the premises into "Roots," a restaurant focused on local ingredients and sustainability. In 2021, it earned the distinction of becoming York's first Michelin-starred dining venue.
This two-storey Grade II listed edifice is constructed from brick, featuring tile-hung and timber-framed sections on the upper floor. The ground level includes stone-framed windows and doors beneath a tiled roof. The Marygate-facing side presents three gabled bays, a half-octagonal tower on the right-hand side, and a central round-arched entrance bearing a plaque inscribed with "BUILT 1894." Most windows are mullioned and transomed, with some first-floor windows showcasing diamond-paned glass. Inside, much of the original room configuration has been preserved despite partial wall removals; notable features include the original bar and two wooden fireplaces—one decorated with a carved bay horse panel dated 1898.