People Make Places: Kelly & Sara Bring Community Spirit to The Black Swan, Ripon Pride 2025
People Make Places: Kelly & Sara at The Black Swan, Ripon 🌈⭐
At Ripon BID, we know it’s the people at the heart of our city who make it truly special. This week’s People Make Places spotlight is on two incredible women who have poured passion, personality, and pride into one of Ripon’s most loved venues – The Black Swan on Westgate.
Meet Kelly & Sara Hirst, the award-winning duo behind The Black Swan in Ripon. From hosting Ripon Pride to leading community walks, discover how they’ve made this much-loved pub a hub of fun, friendship, and local pride.
Why Ripon?
Kelly: “We came to Ripon from Leeds thinking we would not settle… but then we made friends. The people here are lovely.”
Sara: “We moved here for the quiet life – but it has been far from that!”
Kelly: “We wanted to bring life back into The Black Swan – and I think we’ve certainly done that. We’re especially proud of creating a family-friendly Pride event for Ripon.”
Sara: “We’ve reached the final 3 in the National Bar & Pub Awards 2025 for North Yorkshire. The Awards celebrate the best venues, people, and service standards across the UK, voted for by the industry – so we’re really proud of this achievement.”
More than just a pub
The Black Swan isn’t only a place for a great night out – it’s a hub for community life.
Kelly: “We’re the start and finish point for the Ripon Community Walking Group every Sunday at 10am. It’s a family and dog-friendly walk – about 7–8 miles – and we finish up back at the pub with refreshments.”
Sara: “And we won Gold at Ripon in Bloom 2024!” 🌸
Behind the Bar
We asked what they love most from their own menu.
Kelly: “The shots! We do exciting seasonal split shots – I love the variety.”
Local Love
When they do get a rare moment to themselves, Kelly & Sara are big supporters of other local businesses:
Kelly: “We love Portofino for a treat, and sometimes join our regulars for a ‘Sunday Sesh’ visiting other pubs around Ripon.”
Sara: “Talking Heads salon – Billy is superb, and his new Westgate premises are right on our doorstep.”
Join the Celebration
Ripon Pride at The Black Swan is more than an event – it’s a celebration of love, diversity, and the community spirit that makes Ripon shine.
Whether you’re joining the Pride celebrations, popping in for one of their famous shots, or setting off on the Sunday walk – Kelly & Sara’s Black Swan is proof that in Ripon, people really do make places.
If you’d like your business to be featured in our People Make Places series, get in touch with us at info@riponbid.co.uk
